New Delhi, February 12 – In India's largest-ever defense acquisition deal, the government has approved the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under a government-to-government agreement, nearly two decades after the plan was first proposed to bolster the Indian Air Force.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved a capital acquisition of military hardware worth approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, including the procurement of six additional Boeing P8-I surveillance aircraft from the US for the Indian Navy.
Under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, will supply 18 aircraft, while the remaining will be manufactured in India, with over 50 per cent indigenous content.
While the Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the exact cost, it is estimated to be between ₹2.90 lakh crore and ₹3.15 lakh crore.
This approval comes just four days before French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.
The Cabinet Committee on Security is expected to soon review the Rafale purchase plan. There is a possibility of India and France signing a bi-lateral agreement on the project during Macron's visit.
However, a formal contract is unlikely before the end of the year, as the Ministry of Defence will need to finalize the cost and other details with Dassault Aviation.
The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. The MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be key components of the Rafale's weapons systems.
In April 2019, the Indian Air Force issued an Request for Information (RFI) to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) at a cost of approximately USD 18 billion.
This was touted as one of the world's largest military procurement programmes in recent years.
Other contenders for the mega project included Lockheed Martin's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
This acquisition comes at a time when the number of fighter squadrons in the Indian Air Force has decreased to 31 from the officially sanctioned strength of 42.
Approximately 13 years ago, the Defence Ministry had completed the groundwork for procuring a fleet of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).
However, this project did not proceed.
In 2015, the Modi government announced a government-to-government framework to procure 36 Rafale fighters in response to the declining squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The NDA government finally signed the deal on September 23, 2016, to procure the jets after a near seven-year effort to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) did not succeed during the UPA regime.
The IAF began its search for the MMRCA in the late 1990s, and the RFI for it was issued in 2004.
The IAF currently operates the jets. Last year, the Indian Navy signed a ₹64,000 crore deal to procure 26 Rafale jets.
The Defence Acquisition Council, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved various proposals worth approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore for the Services.
This includes the procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Rafale, combat missiles, and air-ship based high altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS) for the Indian Air Force.
The acquisition of MRFA will enhance the IAF's ability to undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost its offensive strike capabilities.
The acquisition of Combat Missiles will enhance the standoff ground attack capability with deep strike power and very high accuracy.
The AS-HAPS will be used for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, telecommunication, and remote sensing for military purposes.
For the Indian Army, approval has been granted for the procurement of anti-tank mines (Vibhav) and overhaul of Vehicle Platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 Tanks, and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II).
Vibhav mines will be deployed as an anti-tank obstacle system to delay the advance of enemy mechanized forces.
The overhaul of vehicle platforms of ARVs, T-72 Tanks, and BMP-II will enhance the service life of equipment, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the Indian Army.
For the Indian Navy, approval has been granted for four MW Marine Gas Turbine based electric power generator and P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.
The induction of four MW marine gas turbine based electric power generator under Make-I category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 will minimize the dependency on foreign manufacturers, ensuring self-reliance in power generation for the Indian Navy.
The acquisition of the P8I aircraft will significantly boost the Navy's war-fighting capabilities in long-range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and maritime strike capabilities.
