EX for India?
The US Government gave Boeing an official approval to start in-depth negotiations concerning a possible F-15EX sale to India on 28 February 2021.
Low-level negotiations between the US and India were held before, but at that moment the F-15EX was not cleared for sale to India by the US Government. The approval is required for Boeing to enter the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, the US export control regulation). The aircraft manufacturer is now allowed to discuss detailed capabilities of the most advanced F-15 Strike Eagle with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The IAF has started version 2.0 of its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) after the MRCCA 1.0 was cancelled. The 2.0 version involves 110 to 144 fighters and Boeing has two "jokers" in MMRCA 2.0, as they also offer its F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet. In the Indian competition, Lockheed Martin is offering the F-21 (an Indian specific variant F-16 Block 70/72), Mikoyan tries to sell the MiG-35, Dassault its Rafale, Eurofighter their Typhoon and last but not least, Saab is offering its most modern Gripen variant, the E/F. It is expected that Sukhoi will enter the competion too with the Su-35.
Artist impression by Boeing