More than 10 years after India made a decision to purchase another line of fighter jet for the Air Force, the Indian government today inked the deal for 36 Rafale fighter planes with France.
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India on Friday signed a 7.87-billion-euro (Rs 59,000 crore) deal with France for direct acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft, equipped with the latest missiles and weapon systems, reports fe Bureau in New Delhi.
India’s cabinet last night okayed the Dassault Rafale fighter jet contract signing which the French Defence Minister Le Drian is expected to witness together with his Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar on Friday.
This means business worth at least three billion Euros for Indian companies, both big and small, and generating hundreds of jobs in India through offsets. With Meteor, the balance of power in the air space has again tilted in India’s favour. The armaments cost about 710 million Euros while Indian specific changes, including integration of Israeli helmet mounted displays, will cost 1700 million Euros. Other previous candidates for the deal included the Lockheed Martin F-16, RAC MiG-35 and Saab Gripen.
According to sources, the deal will cost 7.87 billion euros, after tough negotiation from the Indian side which led to delay in finalisation of the deal, which includes weapons and spares apart from 36 jets in flyaway condition. A source revealed that the complete order of 36 jets will get completed in 66 months and 15% of the deal amount i.e. Rs. 9,000 crore will be paid as first installment. “Unfortunately we do not make critical technologies in India” says Luthra.
The Rafale combat aircraft is a 4.5 generation, twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft that has over 3,700km range and features an aerial refuelling probe, and 14 hardpoints for IAF’s version. At the time, India was the only foreign buyer for the jet. India has the right to impose penalty on the French plane-maker if this condition is not met. The long-awaited negotiations to buy Rafale fighter came through on Wednesday. He also said that the deal left out important prerequisites for finalisation. This warranty is signed for the first five years. “It will demonstrate unstinting efficiency in protecting the people of India and the sovereignty of the world’s largest democracy”, declared Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO.
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He said the IAF is now down to 34 squadrons as against a sanctioned strength of 44 and the country needs more aircraft.
