A quick query on the typhoon vs the Rafael.
How many typhoons are there flying and what is the cumulative number of hours flown in the typhoon Vs the Mirage.
Considering the Rafael is only tried and tested in France me thinks there is less operational experience in this aircraft than the typhoon. This was one of the reasons for the Griffin being rejected amongst others. A bit confused as the technical merits of one over the other and would be great if someone with operational experience in one or both could elaborate.
Considering the past bruha on defense deals pains were taken to ensure sufficient due diligence so that fingers would not point to kickbacks, but then again .................
Total deal size is now pegged at $20 Billion with order size climbing past 189 aircraft. (18 fly away, rest built locally with options to buy another 60 in fly away in case HAL takes time).
To all who think the Americans are miffed, take a look at the C 130 deal signed as well as BBJ and Naval version of it. Put together that is all in excess of this deal. Main difference........the Yanks did not have to go thru a bidding process and it took a year for the deal... this one took 5 years. Wonder who is laughing all the way to the bank now............... Add to this the Israeli and Russian deals which do not go thru this complex process of bidding and one does realize this was a great bollywood production for public consumption on transparency.
For those who feel the aid is going towards military aid please review the attachment below. Most aid is channeled directly to NGO's or thru WHO as is the smart thing to do so does not touch the governments dirty paws. Stopping this aid will not effect any change in thought process IMHO, besides it being only a fraction of what this deal is worth.
DFID - India country profile - UK aid