Want to Buy 110 Fighter Jets, India Open Tender Auctions

NEW DELHI - India is looking for the world's top defense contractor suitable to produce about 110 fighter jets. New Delhi wants to buy hundreds of jet fighters through a tender auction.

The Indian Air Force announced the opening of the tournament competition on Friday (6/4/2018). The project value of hundreds of these fighter jets reached more than USD15 billion.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab and Dassault Aviation are some defense contractors who are expected to compete.

The 110 fighter jets to be purchased must be built in India. This project is part of the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a domestic industrial base.

According to the Indian Air Force, 85 per cent had to manufacture the combat jets it must work on in India by the Indian Production Agency.

A spokesman for Dassault Aviation that makes the twin engine Rafale declined to comment.

Earlier, the local defense ministry had requested interest statements from defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Saab.

China's rival country in the Asian region is looking for new combat aircraft to replace the aging Soviet-era MiG jet fighters.

Lockheed Martin United States (US) is known to have worked with Tata Advanced Systems India to build local aircraft. While the Swedish Saab has established a partnership with Adani Group.

Other defense contractors have not yet announced their local partners as bargaining power to seize the big project.

According to the announcement of the Indian Air Force quoted by Reuters, this open tender tender information is valid until July 2018.

Request for proposal will be issued after bid evaluation and contract negotiation. The process can take years.