Article Posted on : - Aug 12, 2010

Two US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets.

NEW DELHI (PTI): US aviation major Boeing Wednesday said if India selects its Super Hornets for its USD 11 billion deal for 126 multirole combat aircraft, it will be allowed to add advanced capabilities in the fighters as per future requirements.

"India would be able to participate as an International Super Hornet Roadmap customer, if desired, and could enhance future Indian Super Hornets... This (roadmap) will give the Indian Air Force flexibility over the years if they want to integrate or insert new technologies," Boeing Defence, Space and Security India head Vivek Lall told PTI here.

Boeing's F/A-18 E/F fighter aircraft is one of the six contenders in the race for supplying 126 multi-role combat aircraft to the IAF for the deal.

The company has recently announced a US Navy-funded and Boeing-developed International Super Hornet roadmap for the next 40 years which plans for maturing technologies and inserting them in the aircraft.

"Boeing also has a growth plan for international customers to ensure that Super Hornet meets the needs of international air forces such as the Indian Air Force which may differ from US' requirements," he added.

Lall said some of the technologies offered in the roadmap are already there in the aircraft on offer to the IAF.

The roadmap will offer capabilities for enhanced survivability and enemy detection capabilities to its customers.