INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS

The insightful articles, inspiring narrations and analytical perspectives presented by the Editorial Team, establish an alluring connect with the reader. My compliments and best wishes to SP Guide Publications.

— General Upendra Dwivedi, Indian Army Chief

"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"

— Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Indian Navy Chief

Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.

— Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force Chief
       

Rafale, Eurofighter have one more war left in India

By SP's Special Correspondent

  Model of Naval Typhoon at Aero India 2011
  Model of Naval Typhoon at Aero India 2011
February 13, 2012 : Technically, the MMRCA battle isn't over just yet, though Eurofighter is still working on a counter strategy to break back into the reckoning. However, indications suggest that the Rafale bid was significantly more competitive than the Typhoon's. Still, there may be one war left that the Typhoon and Rafale will fight. The Rafale and a concept navalized version of the Eurofighter are technically in the reckoning for the Indian Navy's next fighter buy. These are aircraft that will fly off the navy's second aircraft carrier. The navy is understood to be extremely keen that its new generation carriers (apart from the first one) have catapult launch systems.

While the Rafale and F-35C (also offered) are CATOBAR jets, the other three, the naval Typhoon, MiG-29K and concept Sea Gripen are proposed as STOBAR aircraft using a deck ski-jump. Industry sources indicate that the Rafale's advantage in the MMRCA could influence the way the navy thinks, in terms of platform commonality with the IAF, should the latter choose to conclude a contract with Dassault. The navy fighter competition is still in a pre-RfP stage, though it has gone through several rounds of information exchange and scrutiny. Lockheed-Martin has proposed by the VTOL F-35B and the CATOBAR F-35C variants, while Rosoboronexport will be making a full attempt to convince the navy to simply order more MiG-29Ks. A design freeze on a catapult launch configuration would narrow the competition down considerably.