The Indian Air Force is facing a shortage of fourth generation advanced 4.5 generation fighter planes. According to the agency, sources said that the Air Force is preparing to issue an open tender to buy 114 multi-role fighter jets soon. The Air Force believes that it needs advanced 4.5 generation fighter jets to face the challenges on the North and Western Front. Earlier in the year 2016, the government had purchased 36 Rafale aircraft. According to sources, a non-controversial model will be adopted for the purchase of these advanced jets, as these fighter jets will be manufactured in India itself. The government will go for a multi-vendor tender to acquire these jets under the Make in India process, as the government believes that it will not import any major weapon system. The Indian Air Force has about 30 squadrons of fighter jets. These include Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and MiG-29. Many of these jets are going to retire in the next 5-7 years. In the next few months, the MiG-21 is also to be removed from the squadron. Will the government buy more Rafale fighter jets?
According to the agency, official sources have said that many countries have placed orders for Rafale with the French firm that makes Rafale. It will take 10 years for the company to complete those orders. The deal was done for 59 thousand crores
In 2016, India signed an agreement with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter planes for 7.87 billion euros, i.e. about 59 thousand crores rupees. Rafale was manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation. It also manufactures Mirage jets. After a long wait, India got the first Rafale in the year 2019. On 9 October 2019, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh received the first Rafale aircraft from the Dassault company along with performing Shastra Puja. In the first batch of Rafale aircraft, which are considered game changers for the security of the country, five aircraft landed at Ambala Air Force Station in July 2020. Rafale is one of the most modern fighter planes in the world, capable of carrying many lethal weapons and missiles. It has been deployed at the strategically important Ambala Air Force Station for the Indian Army, which is close to both Pakistan and China in terms of distance. Deal to buy 26 Rafale marine jets between India and France
Negotiations have been going on for several months between India and France regarding the purchase of 26 Rafale marine jets. This deal is worth about 50 thousand crores (estimated). India wants to keep the base price for the Rafale-M deal for the Navy the same as it had kept in 2016 while purchasing 36 aircraft for the Air Force. The first round of discussions on the deal to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter jets began in August. Then the officials of the French government and Dassault company discussed with the Contract Negotiation Committee of the Ministry of Defense. When this deal worth 50 thousand crores is finalized, France will also provide weapons, simulators, training for the crew and logistic support along with the Rafale-M jets. Information about this deal was first revealed during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to France last year. After this, the Defense Ministry issued a Letter of Request, which was accepted by France in December 2023. Read full news..
