The Indian Air Force (IAF) might have laid down 643 parameters while evaluating the six fighters in contention for its $10 billion order for 126 medium multi-role combat jets (MMRCAs) but the eventual decision on this will be taken at the political level, an informed source said on Thursday.
"The evaluation was meticulously done with the aircraft examined on 643 parameters. We have submitted a report to the defence ministry stating to which extent the aircraft were compliant," the source said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
"We have done an objective assessment taking into account the needs of national security. There will be political considerations (in making the final choice).
"The cost will be a factor. Politics will also be a factor," the source said, adding: "We have not graded the aircraft but only stated the extent to which they are compliant with the parameters we laid down."
The IAF submitted its report last month. Once this is evaluated by the ministry, all six manufacturers will be called and told which three of them have been shortlisted for the final round. The commercial bids of these three manufacturers will then be opened and negotiations conducted to decide on the eventual price.
The contract is likely to be signed early in 2011.
The six jets in contention are the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Lockheed Martin F-16IN Super Viper, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen, the Dasault Rafale and the MiG-35.
One set of flight trials was conducted in India last year and another in the country of manufacture earlier this year, which included the live firing of ammunition.
Eighteen of the planes will be bought in a fly-away condition and the remaining manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a transfer of technology (TOT) agreement.