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Indian Defence Minister got hit by a Chinese Missile @ Aero India 2011

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Photo 1 & 2 show the Chinese journalists posing questions to Antony. Photo 3, Antony's response.

This was probably an interesting highlight of Day-1 at Aero India 2011. Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony was very much at ease (as usual) answering in his inimitable style, a volley of queries from the Press. At the fag end of the Press meet came an unexpected 'missile' from the last row. This one from China.

Li Miao, the only Chinese journalist at the show complained to Antony how she had to struggle to get an entry into the inaugural day of the show. Her pass was valid only for Day-1. “Mr Antony, I am from China... China... I congratulate you on the show, which I think is a great success. But I want to tell you that I had not received passes until this morning and I still do not have passes to cover the remaining part of the show. Are we (China) really invited for this show? I wanted to know,” she fired the first 'cruising missile.'

Taken aback, Antony immediately directed officials from Ministry of Defense to do everything so that she could cover the show on all days. “She is a young and energetic lady, do not disappoint her,” he said. There was a sudden buzz at the conference hall and everyone seems to have enjoyed this bit of Q&A session.

Miao is with the China Central Television (CCTV). She also wanted to know when India and China would co-develop defence technologies (!!!!!!), to which Antony replied: “A few differences between the two countries, especially unresolved border disputes are to be solved. But don't forget, China is one of our biggest trade partner which is a positive sign.”

Ahead of Aero India 2011, the Indian government had said that China won't be attending the Aero India 2011 as they weren't invited. Later, it was reported that China had been extended an invitation and some journalist(s) and business delegation might be attending the show. There are no Chinese exhibits at the show.

That's all from the Mioa-Minister duet!..
 

Mr T

Senior Member
Re: Indian Defence Minister got hit by a Chinese Missile @ Aero India 2011

So it's the
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for India.

So....

a) which aircraft do people think will win; and
b) if you were choosing between the two, which would you pick (per India's needs)?

I think that partner status for India in the Typhoon project and the fact that there are other countries who might be willing to share further upgrade costs work is a good selling point.
 

Semi-Lobster

Junior Member
Well it will probably come down to who is willing to work closest with HAL to transfer the most technology and possibly production to the Indian aviation industry. Between the Rafale and the Typhoon, its a tough call. I heard that the Eurofighter consortium is offering India to become a full partner and get a slice of any future sales of the Eurofighter abroad and to be involved with production of any future Eurofighters for export as well. What is Dassault offering? It must be something substantial to be able to compete with the openness Eurofighter is offering.
 

Spartan95

Junior Member
Re: Indian Defence Minister got hit by a Chinese Missile @ Aero India 2011

So it's the
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for India.

So....

a) which aircraft do people think will win; and
b) if you were choosing between the two, which would you pick (per India's needs)?

I think that partner status for India in the Typhoon project and the fact that there are other countries who might be willing to share further upgrade costs work is a good selling point.

Personally, I think the Typhoon stands a better chance.

Given the size of the order, an entire assembly line can be set up in India to manufacture the aircraft. For Typhoon, being given full partner status lowers that barriers for a production line in India. Afterall, each of the full partners have their own production lines already.

The Typhoon also offers the advantage of the experience from many different countries since it is quite a successful export aircraft. This will make it easier for inter-operability issues between different militaries.

Being given full partnership in the Typhoon program is likely to benefit India's aerospace industry in the long run as well, since it means access to cutting edge European aerospace technologies.
 

Aero_Wing_32

Junior Member
That s a big surprise. I would have seen the F-18 and the Rafale selected.

Back to the Rafale case, it is actually a really capable multirole aircraft that has a great package of assets, great avionics and excellent maneuverability. The Rafale is my favorite as it is the best package of the 2 final contenders, ideal for the MMRCA (real ToT, great payload, great range, great avionics, decent cost and a promising future of upgrades, AESA radar being put into production now, fully operable as a navy aircraft).

You seem very optimistic with the Typhoon, but I am not sure that India can get the same ToT with lot of foreign partners (some maybe reluctant with large ToT), given the fact that s it s now a key point in this contest! Keep also in mind that the plane must be mainly produced by Indian companies. Another thing, the Typhoon cost more due to these numerous costly european partnerships. The plane is also clearly behindhand in term of developement's Tranches and multirole capabilities. That s why I m so surprised to see this one here instead of the F-18...
 

Spartan95

Junior Member
That s a big surprise. I would have seen the F-18 and the Rafale selected.

Back to the Rafale case, it is actually a really capable multirole aircraft that has a great package of assets, great avionics and excellent maneuverability. The Rafale is my favorite as it is the best package of the 2 final contenders, ideal for the MMRCA (real ToT, great payload, great range, great avionics, decent cost and a promising future of upgrades, AESA radar being put into production now, fully operable as a navy aircraft).

You seem very optimistic with the Typhoon, but I am not sure that India can get the same ToT with lot of foreign partners (some maybe reluctant with large ToT), given the fact that s it s now a key point in this contest! Keep also in mind that the plane must be mainly produced by Indian companies. Another thing, the Typhoon cost more due to these numerous costly european partnerships. The plane is also clearly behindhand in term of developement's Tranches and multirole capabilities. That s why I m so surprised to see this one here instead of the F-18...

There have been open remarks that the US aircraft were in the competition that long due to political pressure, not because the aircraft fits India's requirements.

As for Rafale vs Typhoon, Typhoon has newer technology and all full partners have full access to all the technology of the aircraft. This is public news. Nothing secret about it.

Now, is the French going to offer full access to Rafale's technology? If so, than Rafale's chances improve. But since it is an older design, I don't think it stands as good a chance because India wants the latest technology so that it can help to advance their own aerospace industry. On that count alone, the Typhoon is the best option.

Also, will Dassault allow India to build an assembly for Rafale in India as part of the package? If not, than it will clearly lose the bid. Being a full partner of Typhoon means that an assembly line for Typhoon can be built in India. There are already 1 Typhoon assembly line in each of the full partner countries of the program (Germany, UK, Italy and Spain). As for Rafale, there is currently no other assembly line other than the 1 in France.

More importantly, which bid India picks will depend on which bid better meets its requirements, not which bid it likes (or is their favourite).
 

Aero_Wing_32

Junior Member
There have been open remarks that the US aircraft were in the competition that long due to political pressure, not because the aircraft fits India's requirements.

As for Rafale vs Typhoon, Typhoon has newer technology and all full partners have full access to all the technology of the aircraft. This is public news. Nothing secret about it.

Now, is the French going to offer full access to Rafale's technology? If so, than Rafale's chances improve. But since it is an older design, I don't think it stands as good a chance because India wants the latest technology so that it can help to advance their own aerospace industry. On that count alone, the Typhoon is the best option.

Also, will Dassault allow India to build an assembly for Rafale in India as part of the package? If not, than it will clearly lose the bid. Being a full partner of Typhoon means that an assembly line for Typhoon can be built in India. There are already 1 Typhoon assembly line in each of the full partner countries of the program (Germany, UK, Italy and Spain). As for Rafale, there is currently no other assembly line other than the 1 in France.

More importantly, which bid India picks will depend on which bid better meets its requirements, not which bid it likes (or is their favourite).

More advanced? Not for now. European partners lost time. It s also known that London, Berlin and Rome are not willing to pay and fund more for the most advanced evolution of the aircraft, specially for the radar, in this current debt crisis in EU. Besides, a few weeks ago, UK officials were upset with delays and soaring costs.

And Last but not least, dont forget the Indian French Kaveri- Snecma engine, a nice project fitted for the Rafale in MMRCA.
 
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Spartan95

Junior Member
More advanced? Not for now. European partners lost time. It s also known that London, Berlin and Rome are not willing to pay and fund more for the most advanced evolution of the aircraft, specially for the radar, in this current debt crisis in EU. Besides, a few weeks ago, UK officials were upset with delays and soaring costs.

Why do you think the Indians are offered full partnership? It's another source of funding for further development. Unless the Indian Air Force expect to get it for free.

As for which is more advanced, the Typhoon is the 1st military aircraft with Direct Voice Input (DVI). This is a capability that is in development for the Rafale. The Typhoon also claims to have a lower Radar Cross Section as compared to the Rafale (about half of the Rafale's). That's just 2 examples where the Typhoon is more advanced than the Rafale.
 

Pointblank

Senior Member
Why do you think the Indians are offered full partnership? It's another source of funding for further development. Unless the Indian Air Force expect to get it for free.

As for which is more advanced, the Typhoon is the 1st military aircraft with Direct Voice Input (DVI). This is a capability that is in development for the Rafale. The Typhoon also claims to have a lower Radar Cross Section as compared to the Rafale (about half of the Rafale's). That's just 2 examples where the Typhoon is more advanced than the Rafale.

Well, the Eurofighter being is offered with a thrust vectoring version of the EJ200, and the CAPTOR-E AESA radar, and both are still under development.
 
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