Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
THE INDIAN NAVY plans to decide by next February whether to procure either refurbished British Aerospace TAV-8As offered by the USA or rebuilt or new two-seat Harrier trainers from the UK.
Driving the aircraft-replacement decision are believed to be serviceability issues as to whether the five Indian navy T.Mk 60 trainers are flyable. The aircraft are currently maintained, by the Indian Navy with British Aerospace support.
US and Indian Officials are determining, the feasibility of refurbishing four TAV-8A two-seat trainers, mothballed at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona since 1987.
Earlier this year, the USN provided India with price and availability data. The Indian navy submitted to the Pentagon a letter of request. The USN then sent India a letter of offer and acceptance for the four excess vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) trainers.
Each surplus TAV-8A would cost India about $500,000. Installed Rolls-Royce Pegasus engines would require a multi-million-dollar overhaul, but the airframes are considered to be in good condition.
The Indian navy is negotiating with EER Systems, the only US company invited so far to brief top-level Indian navy officials, to undertake the TAV-8A refurbishment. The US firm's formal bid is due no later than 15 July.
EER Systems would refurbish the aircraft and provide logistic support for ten years. As prime contractor it would hire subcontractors to do the work.
It is believed that BAe has offered to modernise two RAF Harrier trainers for the Indian navy, but two aircraft may not meet the requirement.
Although unlikely, a third option would be the purchase of new V/STOL operational trainers from BAe to replace the five aging T.Mk 60s, which the Indian navy would scrap, according to US industry sources.
Source: Flight International
