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The move marks a major step in India’s long-pending plan to strengthen the Air Force fleet and address the shortage in fighter squadrons.
According to reports, nearly 90 of the 114 jets would be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and an Indian firm. (PTI)
Indian Air Force’s Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is on a visit to France amid India’s push to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets.
To boost the Indian Air Force, India has issued LoR (Letter of Request) to buy 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France, defence sources told News18. The move marks a major step in India’s long-pending plan to strengthen the Air Force fleet and address the shortage in fighter squadrons.
On Monday, the IAF chief visited Dassault Aviation, which is a French aerospace company.
This comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in June to attend the 52nd G7 Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the town of Évian-les-Bains. An announcement on the deal will likely be made during PM Modi’s visit.
Earlier this year in February, President Emmanuel Macron during his three-day visit to India said France and India are entering a new era of defence cooperation with plans to jointly produce Rafale fighter jets and helicopters.
All About Rafale Procurement Process
The sources said that nearly 90 of the 114 jets would be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and an Indian firm. The remaining aircraft would arrive in fly-away condition. This would be first time when Rafale would be produced outside France with local content.
The Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the Rafale proposal three months ago, after which the LoR was prepared.
Once France responds with details regarding pricing, availability and logistical support, India will formally issue the Request for Proposal. After negotiations between the two countries, the Cabinet Committee on Security will need to approve the final deal before the contract is signed.
The government aims to complete the contract by the end of this year.
India already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets in the Air Force.
The Indian Navy is also preparing to induct 26 Rafale-M aircraft for aircraft carrier operations over the next few years.
Indigenous integration plans in Rafales
The indigenous content in the new Rafale deal is expected to be close to 50 per cent. India has also been negotiating access to Interface Control Documents for the aircraft. These documents are technical blueprints explaining how onboard aircraft systems communicate with weapons, sensors and other equipment.
India hopes this access will allow the integration of indigenous weapons such as Astra and BrahMos variants onto the jets. However, reports said full access to the aircraft’s source code is unlikely.
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