New Delhi: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is on a four-day visit to France. This visit is taking place at a time when India is preparing to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets. This will be one of the largest purchases of fighter aircraft in the history of the Air Force.
According to Defense Ministry sources, India has sent a formal proposal to France for the purchase of Rafale. Now France will respond with complete information about price, production capacity and logistics support. This answer is expected to come in two to three months. After that formal talks will start between the two countries. Officials believe that this deal can be finalized in the next one year.
This visit of Air Chief Marshal Singh is not just formal. He will meet officials from major French defense companies like Dassault Aviation and MBDA. Dassault makes Rafale, while MBDA makes advanced missiles like Meteor and SCALP. The discussion will not be limited to aircraft purchase only. There will also be talk on production in India, technical cooperation and linking Indian weapons with Rafale.
Sources say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit France in mid-June. If this visit takes place, the Rafale deal will be a major issue of negotiation. This deal is being done on government to government model. Therefore, the role of the top leadership of both the countries is considered very important.
The Indian Air Force has approval for 42 squadrons, but currently has only 29 squadrons. This shortage has further increased due to the withdrawal of old aircraft like MiG-21. For this reason, 114 new multirole fighters are being purchased. Rafale is considered to be the strongest contender. The Air Force already has 36 Rafales.
The most special thing about this deal is production in India. Out of total 114 jets, 94 aircraft can be made in India. The remaining planes will come directly from France. For this, Dassault will partner with an Indian company. The Defense Ministry wants about 50% localization in this project. This means that many Indian systems and weapons will be installed in the aircraft. This will be a big step for Make in India and self-reliant India.
India and France have old cooperation regarding Rafale. A deal for 36 Rafales was signed in 2016 and all the aircraft have been received. They are posted at Ambala and Hasimara air bases. Defense experts say that induction of new Rafale will be easy due to existing infrastructure and trained pilots.
Currently the Air Force has 36 Rafales. The deal for 26 Rafale-M for the Navy has already been done. If the agreement for 114 new jets is signed, India will have a total of 176 Rafales. This will increase air power manifold and strengthen the capability of the Air Force on both the China-Pakistan fronts.
