Model of Naval Typhoon at Aero India 2011

February 13, 2012 : Technically, the MMRCA battle isn't over just yet, though Eurofighter is still working on a counter strategy to break back into the reckoning. However, indications suggest that the Rafale bid was significantly more competitive than the Typhoon's. Still, there may be one war left that the Typhoon and Rafale will fight. The Rafale and a concept navalized version of the Eurofighter are technically in the reckoning for the Indian Navy's next fighter buy. These are aircraft that will fly off the navy's second aircraft carrier. The navy is understood to be extremely keen that its new generation carriers (apart from the first one) have catapult launch systems.

While the Rafale and F-35C (also offered) are CATOBAR jets, the other three, the naval Typhoon, MiG-29K and concept Sea Gripen are proposed as STOBAR aircraft using a deck ski-jump. Industry sources indicate that the Rafale's advantage in the MMRCA could influence the way the navy thinks, in terms of platform commonality with the IAF, should the latter choose to conclude a contract with Dassault. The navy fighter competition is still in a pre-RfP stage, though it has gone through several rounds of information exchange and scrutiny. Lockheed-Martin has proposed by the VTOL F-35B and the CATOBAR F-35C variants, while Rosoboronexport will be making a full attempt to convince the navy to simply order more MiG-29Ks. A design freeze on a catapult launch configuration would narrow the competition down considerably.