Sources said, all the 36 warplanes that will be manufactured at Dassault’s plant in France, will have specifications as per the need of the Indian Air Force.
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“During the UPA (United Progressive Alliance), we had planned to buy 126 aircraft to strengthen the IAF”.
“Of late, the security situation is becoming more and more critical and volatile…”
Modi welcomed the signing of the inter-governmental agreement on purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft from France earlier in the day, and called for its speedy and timely implementation.
The air force now has around 32 squadrons, each comprising 18 aircraft, but has said it needs at least 42 to protect its northern and western borders with Pakistan and China. “Now, that has been reduced to 36 aircraft”, Congress leader A.K. Antony told reporters here.
Although the deal is 750 million Euros lighter than it would have been in the UPA era, the Rafale deal is what it is, a mere stepping stone. “That’s not true!”, he said adding, “You can’t compare the Rafale deal price during UPA Government’s time and now”.
“I said this complaint about “life cycle cost” from very senior politicians should be thoroughly examined by Finance Ministry before we sign contract”, the Congress leader argued.
Antony also said that he did not want to comment on the present price before he knew the exact details.
He said that with the Indian contract going through, the company feels that more global orders of the plane.
Local media in India, citing defense officials, said the deal includes the delivery of advanced Beyond Visual Range and air to ground missile systems.
India had chose to ink the deal for 126 Rafale jets in 2012. The deal was estimated to cost $10.2 billion and the plan was to acquire 18 aircraft in fly-away condition and manufacturing the rest in India.
Now, in the wake of the Uri terror attack, when India has made a decision to deliver an efficacious counter-attack to its neighbour, India pats itself on the back with the meagre three dozen aircrafts. The first fighter plane agreement in about two decades was inked nearly 16 months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to buy the jets during his visit to France in April past year.
“So, the deal was, from overseas – 18 and Make in India – 108”.
He said that Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale jets, is committed to the Make in India initiative. The basic cost of the aircraft is about €91 million or about Rs. 680 crore and little over Rs.1600 crore per aircraft for the whole deal.
Kohli described this deal an important acquisition and said new aircraft technology would enhance India’s military capabilities.
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