Article Posted on : - Aug 18, 2009

A file photo.

BANGALORE (PTI): The Indian Air Force on Monday began the flight evaluation and performance trials for the six foreign defence firms which are in race to bag an estimated $10 billion order for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.

The six companies have been lined up for the exercise, expected to go on for the next few months. After the tests in humid climatic conditions here, IAF plans to test the fighter jets in cold and hot conditions over Leh and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan respectively.

“In the procedure to evaluate against the requirements of IAF, the process was begun today by flying Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornets,” IAF sources said.

Other five contenders are: Gripen, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Super Viper, Eurofighter's Typhoon, Russian United Aircraft's MiG35 and France's Dassault Aviation's Rafale.

F-16 Super Viper is expected to undergo trials here later this month, sources in Lockheed Martin said.

India plans to acquire 18 ready-to-fly fighter jets, with the remaining 108 to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, headquartered here, under transfer of technology mode.

Bangalore also houses the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment.