As a fundamental fuel to fortify the national security architecture against contemporary geopolitical threats and to simultaneously consolidate the defence indigenisation goal, India has written to France to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircrafts. This is deemed as the biggest defence deal of the decade and is set to redefine the military and strategic lexicon of the country, as it adds immense potential to the Indian airforce by revolutionising its offensive and defensive capabilities.
As per the Defence Ministry sources, New Delhi has written to Paris and has pitched an official proposal to purchase 114 Rafale fighter aircrafts. In the next two to three months pricing, procurement procedure, timeline, production capacity, logistical & technology cooperation and other credentials of the deal will be finalised. The deal is expected to be inked officially in the coming year. According to the sources, the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets will be in a government-to-government procurement model worth approximately Rs. 3.25 lakh crore.
Redefining the strength of the Indian Airforce
The 114 Rafale fighter aircrafts is set to add immense potential to the squadron strength of the Indian Airforce. The airforce of the country is currently operating below its sanctioned strength. Thus, the induction of the cutting-edge fighter aircrafts to the defence apparatus will etch a strategic edge in configuring the security realignments of India. At present, the Indian Airforce functions with 29 squadrons(a unit or group of aircrafts in the airforce, where each squadron typically contains 16 to 18 aircrafts) which is a steep low when compared to the authorised strength of 42.5 squadrons. The current squadrons include, 13 squadrons of Sukhoi 13 MKI, 6 squadrons of Jaguar, 3 squadrons of MiG 29, 3 squadrons of Mirage 2000, 2 squadrons of Tejas and 2 squadrons of Rafale. In this direction, addition of 114 Rafales to the Indian airforce will render a giant leap in its operational capabilities.
Revolutionising the goal of defence indigenisation
The hallmark of purchasing 114 Rafale fighter jets is 18 are expected to be procured from France in fly away condition and the remaining 96 will be fully manufactured in India. This will inflict a biggest boost to the defense indigenisation and Make in India goal. To produce Rafale in India, Dassault Aviation, the French Rafale manufacturing firm will partner with an Indian defence firm and indulge in co-production. As per the Defence Ministry sources, India is aiming for 50 per cent localisation with respect to Rafale manufacturing in India, a detrimental push to the vision of Atmanirbharata. The Rafale fighter jets will be evolved to completely integrate Indian weapon systems.
Apart from transfer of technology and critical defence logistics, localisation and indigenous elements also illustrate the emerging defence manufacturing capabilities of India, thus pitches the country as a key defence manufacturing and export hub, trusted defence partner and net security provider in the region. Large-scale Rafale production in India also catalyses employment opportunities to the youth in the research and defence sector. Thus, the latest Rafale deal intended by India has multi-vectoral profit from national security, self-reliance to employment.
A strategic masterstroke against two-front confrontation
The 114 Rafale fighter aircrafts inducted into the Indian Airforce in future, will add immense strength to India’s strategic calculations amidst the threat of two front confrontation with China and Pakistan. In case of such a geopolitical swing and multi-front challenge to India’s sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity, Rafale, the state-of-the-art military aircraft will act as a game-changer. It will boost India’s offensive-defensive capabilities by leaps and bounds, thus help gain strategic edge in the great powerplay book of the 21st century.
Rafale, with its advanced avionics, electronic warfare suits and precision strike capability will redefine the national security circumference and military capabilities of India.
