Indian Air Force In Talks With Raytheon For Jet Purchase
Indian Air Force (IAF) is negotiating with the $2 billion Raytheon to purchase around 20 business jets. The fresh move is a departure from IAFs earlier choice, Israels Astra SP aircraft. IAFs officials held talks with Raytheon executives early this week at La Bourget where the Paris air show is currently on.
IAF is understood to have zeroed in on Hawker 800XP jets for its fleet which will be used for operations like flight inspection, surveillance, search and rescue, crew training and VIP transport.
According to IAF sources, a technical evaluation of various jets has already been completed for the aircraft. Each of these jets is expected to cost around $8 million.
Last year, the industry delivered over 300 jets and 150 turboprops, which was nearly 100 more than what was sold during the recession in 1992.
IAF is learnt to have earlier decided on Astra SP due to its low cost even though Hawker 800 scored over on techno-commercial considerations. The criteria for selection of the aircraft was based on a three-point agenda: VIP transport, aerial surveillance and target towing. Apart from Astra, other competitors for Raytheon included the Cessna built Citation X and Dassault Falcon 900.
However, IAF brass seems to be veering towards buying Hawker due to its superior technology and additional features apart from being bigger than an Astra.
Recently, Pune-based Span Aviation acquired four Beech 1300s and two Beech 1900Cs. According to Raytheon officials, if the deal with IAF is sealed, there would be more buyers from India. There are quite a few fence sitters waiting for IAF to take a decision, an official said.
Plans to buy business jets for IAF has been marred by controversy earlier as opinions were divided over the choice of jet to be bought.
At the Paris Air Show, Raytheon has put on display six different models. They include, Hawker 800XP which is powered by TFE731-5BR engines with a seating capacity of six.
The Japan Air Self Defence Force has already ordered 14 Hawkers heavily modified for maritime search and rescue operations.
Another on display is Beechjet 400A, a seven-seater light business jet powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 engines. Beech 1900D is a 19-seater commuter airline, 69 of which were delivered last year. Beech King Air 350 is a nine seater and is generally used for special mission duties. Beech King Air B200 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 engines and can operate under adverse weather conditions. Another on display is Beech/Pilatus PC9 MkII which is a dedicated pilot trainer.
At present, IAFs fleet consists of Aerospatiale Aloutte, Antanov, Hawker 748, Boeing, British Aerospace Hunter, Dassault Mirage, De Havilland Canada, Dornier, Eurocopter, Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream, HALs HPT, HT-2, Kiran and Lama, Ilyushin II-76MD, MiG-21FL/MF, MiGs, Mis, PZL Mielec and Jaguars.