India jets contract hope for NW aerospace
THE North West aerospace sector could receive a major boost, if the Indian government chooses Eurofighter for a multi-billion pound contract.
India wants to buy more than 130 modern fighters, making the contract one of the largest international arms deals in recent years. Experts estimate that with ongoing support, it could be worth more than £10bn.
If Eurofighter wins, it would be a fillip for BAE Systems, Britain’s largest defence group, which is part of the four-nation consortium that makes the high-tech
BAE System’s has two sites at Warton and Samlesbury near Preston, where around 3,000 workers are directly involved in making parts and assembling the jet.
The competition for the contract starts next month, when the six planes selected by India begin a fly-off that will consist of a series of trials throughout the subcontinent.
According to reports the six taking part are Eurofighter, Boeing’s F/A-18, Lockheed Martin’s F-16, France’s Rafale, Russia’s MiG-35 and Sweden’s Gripen.
Defence analysts said the contest would probably come down to a race between the Eurofighter and the F/A-18.
The Indian government is unlikely to make a speedy choice, with the trials expected to last for up to a year.
BAE has strong contacts in India, having struck a collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), one of the country’s biggest defence groups. HAL now makes BAE’s Hawk trainer jet, used by the Indian air force, in Bangalore.
BAE recently completed the first Eurofighter destined for export to Saudi Arabia. It recently said it expects to invest around £800m in the North West in the next decade.
