The Eurofighter Typhoon's EJ200 turbofan engine is in a strong position to win a contest to power a MkII version of India's Tejas light combat aircraft, believes Hartmut Tenter, managing director of the four-nation Eurojet consortium.
"We believe that technologically we have the best engine, and that we have the most capable engine," says Tenter, whose company is formed by industry partners Avio, ITP, MTU Aero Engines and Rolls-Royce.
The European design is ideally suited for integration with the light fighter, he believes, noting: "We have done a similar exercise, and found that the EJ200 fits perfectly into the same hole."
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The EJ200 is also on offer to India with the Eurofighter Typhoon |
Eurojet and General Electric have until 12 October to respond to requests for proposal issued recently by India's Aeronautical Development Agency for the planned development of the Tejas.
The companies have been asked to submit offers based on the EJ200 and F414 designs, with India wanting to buy 99 engines with an output of at least 20,000lb (90kN), and place options on another 49. New Delhi's assessment will be "a very thorough and correct process", says Tenter.
Two EJ200s power the Typhoon, which is also on offer to meet the Indian air force's requirement for at least 126 medium multirole combat aircraft. GE's F414 powers Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab's proposed Gripen NG, which are also contesting the deal, along with bids based on the Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin F-16 and RSK MiG-35.
Source: Flight International
