[MAY 20 / 9.38AM] The Indian basic trainer competition has entered its final phase. Commercial bids of the three final contenders were opened this week (Livefist had reported earlier about the three contenders making it to the final phase). The government will now choose between (in photos from top) the Pilatus PC-21 PC-7, Hawker-Beechcraft T-6C Texan-II and Korean Aerospace KT-1. More soon.
[UPDATE @ MAY 25 / 1.54AM] Sources reveal that the Pilatus PC-21 PC-7 has emerged the lowest bidder. No official confirmation yet. Stay tuned.
Finally some action…………….AKA is finally waking up………..and, high time……………..
and, let's hope these deals happen……..and, not get scuppered like the Jaguar re-engine/upgrade.
China is a long term threat to India and has been trying to encircle by cultivating opportunistic alliances and footholds in the region. The move in POK and northern areas is alarming and in long term would have implications for the whole regional security architechture in Asia. China is not supposed to dump pakistan in near future and would leaverage and coordinate with it to put pressure on india and bind it to low level equillibrium. This is the right time actually now is the time for india to premptly attack pakistan quickly neutralise it’s nuclear infrastructure with israeli help and dismember it. This will pave a long future of prosperity not only for india and south asia but for whole world. All well meaning people globally should think about it and through internet and various media create a movement to dismember pakistan in to independent countries of baluchistan, sindh, punjab and FATA should go to afganistan and save world peace.
Last pic is not of KAI KT-1 but a computer-generated pic of to be developed TAI Hürku?.
this is a disgrace. i cant believe we cannot build basic trainers yet. a private company, properly enabled and supported will be able to more than effectively handle such a project. in these days of the cozy-mk4 – a single engine prop plane that people build in their garages in the US and get FAA certified. this is such low tech and i am shocked we still have to buy these planes from outside.
Texan wll be finalized.
Shiv, on a lighter note this feels like a ball by ball commentary on the basic trainer. :).
But nice work.
This IS news-the update that the PC-21 is the lowest bidder. It is the most expensive aircraft out of the three based on list prices and past deals. Another repeat of the EJ-200 and the F414 engine competition in the making where the EJ-200 was the prima facie lowest bidder but on examination-the F414 was found to be cheaper perhaps?
If it works out that way-have to hand it to the Europeans. They sure know how to disguise their actual costs. If not well, I would be happy that the PC-21 would be selected. It is the most powerful, most modern and (personal opinion) best trainer in the market today.
Tats
Update on Indian Stealth frigates 🙂
India to boost 'blue-water' warfare punch with two new stealth frigates
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-boost-blue-water-warfare-punch-with-two-new-stealth-frigates/articleshow/8562255.cms
Make your own trainers at high priority, you STOOPID Indians!!!
At this rate, there really is no use of India in the world!
Pilatus bid the PC-7 MkII … not PC-21.