Sponsored by
India jets deal set to reap 2,000 jobs
MORE than 2,000 jobs could be created if the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium agrees to sell jets and blueprints to India.
The 7.1 billion contract would see 126 combat aircraft, assembled at Warton, supplied to the Indian Air Force, as well as technological blueprints.
The deal could see India brought in to be a full fifth partner country in the jet scheme with the planes built on Indian soil if an agreement is reached.
Defence secretary Liam Fox is today in Delhi promoting the Typhoon to Indian defence minister AK Anthony, as talks on the deal move from the technical to political phase. His visit is the first of its type for six years to the country and is said to be pivotal to the decision.
There is competition for the BAE bid though; Mr Fox's visit to India will be followed by visits from competing Russian and French delegations. French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants India to select the Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is pushing for the MiG-35.
Other aircraft in the frame for the deal included Sweden's Gripen, and the American F-16 and F-18.
The prospects for the deal look good, however, with the Typhoon rated in the top two trials of the six aircraft shortlisted by the Indian Air Force.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
