Boeing’s India warplanes bid to cost $10 bn

“We’re planning to submit our proposal shortly,” said Song, calling it a very big opportunity” for the company.

“We’re looking forward to succeeding in that campaign,” he said by telephone from Tokyo, where Boeing has a major presence.

Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and the Russian-built MiG-35 and MiG-29 are front-runners for the contract to provide combat planes to India, which wants to replace its ageing MiG-21s, industry sources have said.

Also in the running are Eurofighter’s Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and Dassault’s Rafale and Mirage.

“It’s a great airplane,” Song said of the F-18. “It’s in operation right now with the US Navy. We believe that the airplane best suits the requirements of the Indian Air Force.”

The contract will be the first time India’s huge defence establishment has bought fighters after evaluating rival bids through a global tender. Under the deal, a large part of the cost will have to be spent in India.

India has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of military equipment among developing countries.