India missed a December deadline to issue a request for proposals for more than 100 new fighters, with industry sources expecting a delay of between two and three months while New Delhi revises its requirements. India received information in early 2005 on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Mirage 2000, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-29 and Saab Gripen, but its specifications could change to also allow the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault’s Rafale to compete. Initial plans to acquire 126 fighters, including 108 to be assembled locally, could also change to total 200 aircraft split between two types.
Source: Flight International
