BAE Systems has entered a dogfight with the world’s leading makers of combat jets to secure orders from India and Japan worth up to $15 billion (£7.6 billion).

The Times understands that both the Indian and Japanese Governments will take a significant step towards replacing their ageing fighters in October, and defence companies are positioning themselves to win the lucrative contracts.

BAE is attempting to sell the Eurofighter Typhoon to both countries but Europe’s leading fighter is up against American F16s and F18s and Russia’s Mig-29.

Japanese officials recently visited BAE’s base at Warton, Lancashire to see a Typhoon demonstration and the company’s representatives are promoting the aircraft in India.

The Indians and Japanese are expected to issue a request for proposals in October, which will formally ask companies to submit a tender for the replacement programme.

Following BAE’s success in selling 72 Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia, the British company is leading efforts to sell to India and Japan on behalf of the other Eurofighter partners, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The Indians want to buy 126 fighters to replace their old Mig21s in a deal worth up to $9 billion.

The Japanese are replacing their 90-strong fleet of F4s, which are now 35 years old, in a deal that could cost between $6 billion and $10 billion.

The Japanese have always bought US military hardware in the past but in a significant breakthrough for the Eurofighter consortium, officials have admitted they are now looking at the Typhoon.

Analysts in Japan believe that this change in position reflects surprise that the country was not “trusted” by US Congress to buy F22s. Congress has blocked the sale of Lockheed Martin’s F22 to any foreign government but if the ban was lifted it would probably head the Japanese wish-list.

The US is trying to sell Boeing’s F18 Hornet to Japan but military analysts have said that the jet does not meet the country’s needs.

Japanese reluctance to buy anything other than American military hardware has been eroding in recent years. In 2005 the Japan Coastguard bought Augusta Westland EH-101 helicopters rather than American competitors.

The Indian Government is considering a wider range of possible replacement aircraft. It has traditionally bought from Russia, which still offers the most cost-effective fighters, but last year received clearance from the US to buy F16s and F18s. Other candidates for the Indian order include Dassault’s Rafale and Saab’s Gripen.

A BAE spokeswoman said: “BAE Systems, on behalf of the Eurofighter Consortium, is leading activity to position Typhoon in Japan to meet their FX fighter requirement. We are also aware that India has a requirement for 126 multi-role combat aircraft. We await details of what the Indian air force requires and Eurofighter will respond accordingly.”

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