Aero India 2017: Indian fighters deliver déjà vu
There was a strong sense of déjà vu at Aero India 2017, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is yet again on a hunt for new fighters.
The most urgent need, worth an estimated $10+ billion, is for an initial batch of 100 single-engine fighters, with the Saab Gripen E and Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 lining up as the two contenders.
The total requirement will eventually stretch to 200-250 fighters, so it is a hugely significant competition being pursued under a strategic partnership model.
There are already gaping holes in the IAF’s frontline squadrons, with a further 14 squadrons’
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