Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in the third week of February, the Defence Ministry is expected to take up discussions on the Indian Air Force’s proposal to acquire 114 Rafale combat aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 lakh crore, news agency ANI reported.
The proposal received initial approval from the Defence Procurement Board last month and is now likely to be reviewed at a high-level meeting of the defence ministry. “The proposal is likely to be taken up for discussion next week at a high-level meeting of the defence ministry and is seen as critical for meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force in view of the present security scenario in the region,” defence sources told ANI.
The Indian Air Force is currently operating with around 30 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42. Officials point out that rising security challenges, including increasing collusion between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Pakistan and China, have further heightened threat perceptions.
The proposed project is aimed at meeting the IAF’s long-term requirement for 4.5-generation-plus multirole fighter aircraft. Sources said around 80 per cent of the 114 Rafale jets under the deal are planned to be manufactured in India.
Under the proposal, the IAF is expected to receive 88 single-seater and 26 twin-seater aircraft. A majority of these would be built in India through collaboration between French aerospace major Dassault and Indian private sector companies.
If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet would rise to 150 aircraft, in addition to 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy, which will operate a carrier-compatible version of the fighter.
President Macron is expected to be in New Delhi on February 18 to attend the AI summit, during which defence cooperation between the two countries is also likely to be in focus.
The proposed mega deal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force is expected to give a major push to indigenous defence manufacturing, with nearly 80 per cent of the aircraft planned to be built in India.
As part of the proposal, several manufacturing facilities could be shifted from France to India, signalling deeper industrial cooperation between the two countries. The Indian side is also in discussions with French officials to maximise local content in the deal.
Government sources told ANI that the plan includes setting up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility within India to ensure higher serviceability and faster turnaround of the Rafale fleet.
“The Indian side is also discussing with French officials for maximising the localised content in the deal with plans of setting up the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility within India to maximise the serviceability of the planes,” government sources told ANI.
The sources added that both sides will continue negotiations on the overall cost of the project as discussions progress.
*With Agency InputsDiscover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
