India’s $133 million deal announced in November 2005 for 2 P-3C Orion maritime-optimized patrol and surveillance planes fell through on grounds of expense, support costs, and timing. Apparently, it would have taken 18-24 months for the US Navy to retrofit the aircraft to the Indian Navy’s specifications, once the lease had been finalized.
In December 2005, therefore, India’s navy floated an RFP for at least 8 new maritime aircraft. Subsequent statements by India’s Admiral Prakash suggested that they could be looking for as many as 30 aircraft by 2020. Lockheed was invited to bid again, and this time, they were not alone. The bids were submitted in April 2007. The plan was for price negotiations to be completed in 2007, with first deliveries to commence within 48 months.
India’s Ministry of Defence has extreme problems with announced schedules, but their existing fleet was wearing out, international requests for India’s maritime patrol help are rising, and some action is necessary. DID discusses the geopolitical drivers, the current fleet, and the known competitors. As of August 2009, the competition has a winner, and a deal that’s adding the final pieces…
- With Growing Naval Power Comes Growing Naval Responsibility
- The Competitors
- Listed, But Not Submitted
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings
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