Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) appears to have won a tender for a new VVIP jet for India's central Madhya Pradesh state, according to media reports that the local government had approved a proposal for a Challenger 350.
The Economic Times and Times of India reported that the decision was announced at a July 10 state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The Challenger 350 would cost the state INR2.3 billion rupees (USD28.1 million), sparking debate between the ruling party's justification of necessity and the opposition's concerns over financial prudence and accountability. Kailash Vijayvargiya, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, argued for the necessity for the state to have its own jet due to the unavailability of leased aircraft.
Despite the announcement, the Madhya Pradesh government has not yet published its final evaluation of the bids. According to the latest tender update, the evaluation of the financial bids was opened on May 29 after two bids submitted by Bombardier and Embraer for a factory-new twin-engine jet both qualified and were accepted on technical grounds.
ch-aviation has reached out to Bombardier for comment.
