U.S. Defence major Boeing will unveil an advanced version of its F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft here at the biennial Aero India show starting Thursday.
“We are going to display a mock up of the Super Hornet international roadmap aircraft at the air show,” Boeing Defence, Space and Security India head Vivek Lall told PTI here.
The International Super Hornet Roadmap features futuristic enhancements made in the aircraft for international customers and would also allow them to specify their requirements to be equipped in their fighters.
The Super Hornet is in the race for supplying 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) to the Indian Air Force under a $ 11 billion deal expected to be signed by the end of this year.
The unveiling of the International Super Hornet Roadmap aircraft at the Aero India also signifies the importance attached to India by Boeing, Mr. Lall said.
The company has been developing the advanced aircraft for the last two years and has plans to provide a next-generation cockpit, a more powerful engine, missile laser warning systems, conformal fuel tanks and enclosed weapons pods.
Mr. Lall said the company has received a formal request from the Defence Ministry for procuring additional four P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft.
India had placed an order worth $ 2.1 billion for procuring eight P-8Is from the company.
Mr. Lall said the company would be offering a derivative of the P-8I for the medium range reconnaissance aircraft requirements of the Indian Navy.
Boeing’s heavy-lift Chinook helicopter and attack chopper Apache 64D are also in the race for bagging IAF deals.
