Article Posted on : - Feb 05, 2009

Eurofighter image from its official site

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will get to have a close look at Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet which would take part for the first time in Aero India show next week. The jets, to be flown to the southern city of Bangalore, belong to the German Air Force.

The Lufwaffe will participate in an Asian air show for the first time. In fact, Eurofighters flying outside Europe will be rare occurrence. The Typhoon's flown by the Germans is the most advanced combat jets. They would land at Bangalore's Yelahanka air base on Wednesday for the air show beginning on February 11.

Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the six contenders for India's multi-role combat aircraft contract. The German air force is also bringing A310 MRTT (Multi Role Transport Tanker). The Indian Air Force would like to check the tanker as it is planning to augment its refueller fleet and Airbus is one of the options being explored.

The officials said that for the German Air Force, deployment of Eurofighter Typhoon 5000 nm away from is a unique achievement. The fighters have never been deployed to such long distances.

The aircraft will take part in flight demonstration. The combat jet faces stiff competition from other contenders for the IAF contract. Almost all of the competitors would be at Bangalore.

Boeing is sending its F-18 Super Hornet, while Lockheed Martin will pitch in F-16s. Russia's MiG-35 will look to impress the IAF bosses. The other contenders – Gripen of Sweden and French Rafael – would be missing in action. Gripen though is setting up an advanced simulator at the air show. The simulator will give a display of all the aspects of aircraft and its features. Gripen and F-16 are the only single engine aircraft in fray for the IAF contract. All the rest are twin engine jets.

Aero India provides perfect forum for the companies to exhibit their products. The show is taking place at a time when IAF is about to complete evaluation of bids. After the evaluation it would invite companies for flight trials to meet the specifications listed by IAF.

The German Air Force officers claimed that it was a challenge for the team of 70 personnel accompanying the planes to deploy the aircraft to India. Such an exercise has been undertaken for the first time.