Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Following is a nut graph on the six combat jets that were in contention for an Indian order for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), with the first two planes now having been down-selected:

EADS Cassidian: The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engines, canard-delta wing aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of firms from Spain, Germany, Britain and Italy. The aircraft is the frontline fighter with the Royal Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, the Italian Air Force, the Spanish Air Force, the Austrian Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force.

Dassault Aviation: The Rafale is a twin-engined, delta-wing jet. The aircraft was first introduced in 2000 and since then is produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy. Though it has been offered for exports, it is yet to bag any orders.

Boeing: The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engined fighter capable of both land and ship-based operations. Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-scale production began in September 1997 after the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing the previous month. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999.

Lockheed Martin: The US aviation major offered a customized version the F-16IN Super Viper, a fourth generation single-engined fighter jet. A low-end variant of this aircraft is in service with the Pakistan Air force. The F-16 is flown by 24 air forces worldwide.

SAAB: The JAS-39 Gripen fighter is a single-engined jet from the Swedish firm’s stable. The aircraft is in service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian and the South African air forces. The Royal Thai Air Force has also ordered the plane.

United Aircraft Corporation: The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a production version of an upgraded twin-engined MiG-29 combat jet. The aircraft is not as yet operational.