I
ndia and France were in talks over a potential fighter jet agreement involving the purchase of French Rafale fighter jets as of my most recent knowledge update in September 2021. We are not aware of any subsequent developments or deal completion that may have been place, though.
An outline of the India-France fighter jet agreement as of 2021 is provided below:
The Rafale Aircraft:
The deal primarily revolved around India’s interest in acquiring the Dassault Rafale, a versatile and advanced multi-role fighter aircraft manufactured by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.
Background:
The discussions and negotiations for this deal date back to 2012 when India decided to purchase 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) to modernize its air force. After extensive evaluations and negotiations, the deal faced delays and challenges.
Reduction in Order:
In 2016, the Indian government decided to reduce the number of Rafale aircraft it intended to purchase from 126 to 36, citing cost concerns and the need for urgent induction of modern fighter aircraft into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Deal Finalization:
In September 2016, India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. The deal was valued at around 7.8 billion euros.
Features of the Rafale:
The Rafale is known for its advanced avionics, radar systems, weapons, and versatility in performing a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence.
Offsets and Technology Transfer:
The deal also included provisions for offsets and technology transfer, allowing for some level of technology transfer and investments in India’s defense manufacturing sector.
Operational Integration:
The induction of Rafale jets into the IAF aimed to enhance India’s air combat capabilities and improve its operational readiness along its borders, particularly with Pakistan and China.
Please note that developments in defense deals can change over time, and I do not have access to information beyond September 2021. Therefore, I recommend checking the latest news sources or government announcements for updates on the status of the India-France fighter jet deal as of your current date.
What is the Rafale Marine jet?
The Dassault Rafale is a multi-role fighter aircraft created by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. The Rafale Marine is a variation of the Rafale. The naval version of the Rafale, which is intended for operations from aircraft carriers, is particularly referred to as “Marine” in this context.
Several characteristics of the Rafale Marine make it appropriate for carrier-based operations:
Carrier-based aircraft must take off from a relatively small deck and land on a small runway using a catapult. For takeoff and landing on aircraft carriers, the Rafale Marine is outfitted with a catapult launch mechanism and an arrested landing device (tailhook).
Strong Construction: It has a strengthened structure to withstand the often extreme shocks of catapult launches and halted landings.
Folding Wings: The Rafale Marine has folding wings that take up less room while parked on the carrier deck.
Avionics and Weaponry: The Rafale Marine, like its land-based counterparts, is outfitted with cutting-edge avionics and is capable of transporting a variety of armaments, making it adaptable for a variety of mission types, such as air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance.
Interoperability: To give a complete naval air power capability, the Rafale Marine may operate in concert with other naval assets, such as ships and helicopters.
History of Rafale
In the 1970s, the last year of the Cold War, the French army was looking for ways to replace its existing fleet. In order to facilitate the development of costs and make huge profits, France signed an agreement with England, Germany and Italy to build a multi-purpose “Eurofighter Typhoon”.
However, France withdrew from the agreement due to many disagreements on intellectual property rights, cooperation studies and diversity of rights and continued aircraft production.
The French government announced a competition in which they will invite major defense companies to showcase their technologies.
Indian Air Force Procurement
The Indian Army ordered “Rafale” fighter jets in April 2011, following a demonstration that year to improve air superiority. After several meetings between the French and Indian governments, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reached an agreement on 23 September 2016. The agreement envisages the delivery of 36 Rafale fighter jets to the Indian Air Force on a certain date. The cost is 7.8 billion Euros, including the option of an additional 18 aircraft.
The Indian Air Force government wants its Mig-21 fleet to be replaced with Rafale fighter jets in order to retain Pakistan’s latest F-16 version. The aircraft was given the number ‘RB-001’ in honor of the role of Air Marshal-designate RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Indian Air Force, in the 2016 agreement.
Independence Day 2020: A look at the Indian Air Force’s powerful fighter jet fleet – Rafale, Sukhoi and more
The first batch of five highly anticipated Rafale fighter jets has arrived in India and is on duty. Indian. Ambala Air Force Base. These fighter planes, produced by France’s Dassault Aviation company, are twin-engine, multi-purpose fighter planes. They have nuclear capability and can be air-to-air and air-to-ground. With the arrival of Rafale fighter jets, the firepower of the Indian Air Force will increase exponentially.
Rafale Fighters
India signed a government agreement with France in September 2016 to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets worth around 580 billion rupees. The first batch of aircraft, capable of carrying various powerful weapons and missiles, will be deployed at Ambala Air Force Base, which is considered one of the most important bases of the Indian Air Force. It is located approximately 220 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border. The second batch of Rafale will be based at Hasimara base in West Bengal. Rafale is a modern combat aircraft known for its speed, agility, weapon support and strike capability. The Dassault Rafale fighter jet has a delta wing design and can withstand up to 11 grams of G forces (in emergency situations). Rafale fighter jets are available in single-seat and double-seat configurations (India has ordered 28 single-seat and 8 two-seat Rafale fighter jets).
HAL Tejas LCA
India borrowed its long-range aircraft from other countries such as Russia, France and the UK and built them locally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as per licensing agreement. However, in the 1980s, HAL launched the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program to replace the obsolete Soviet-made MiG-21s. The Prime Minister of India named LCA Tejas, the first indigenously produced aircraft to fly to the Indian Air Force, which initially ordered 20 aircraft and was renamed House of Flying Daggers in 2016. The Indian Air Force has ordered 40 Tejas Mk 1s so far. Including 32 single-seat and 8 two-seat trainers. The Indian Air Force has also started purchasing an additional 73 single-seat fighter jets in the Mk 1A configuration.
India Will Buy Rafale-M: Difference Between Military Jets And Military Jets
India may buy 26 Rafale fighter jets with a deal to be completed by Prime Minister Narender Modi Ji towards the end of this month, Lamody announced during his visit to France. This will be the second time French aviation giant Dassault Aviation has purchased fighter jets in recent years. In 2016, India signed an agreement
The difference between the future agreement and the purchase in 2016 is that the transaction of this Rafale fighter jet is for the Indian Navy. Previously, the purchase of 36 aircraft was made for the Indian Air Force.
Marine combat aircraft differ from land combat aircraft in design and functionality. Because the environment in which warplanes operate and the role given to them are different.
France hopes to beat US in bid for new Indian jets by betting on Rafale sale and easy transition
Chandigarh: Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visits Paris to establish ties France Dassault Aviation’s visit President Coinciding with Eric Trapier’s visit This week’s visit to New Delhi highlighted progress in the two countries’ bilateral military trade, especially aviation fighter jets.
Singh to visit Italy and France between 10 – 12 October According to the latest scenario, Trappier’s visit to Delhi between 9 – 10 October will be India’s “Atmanirbharta” It will focus on the Indian military-economic cooperation business complex, with which it can cooperate to promote its “Attempt to reduce imports. Offer Indian Navy 26 Rafale-M (naval) fighter jets for use on newly commissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Trappier is believed to have met with Dassault chief led by senior Richard Laveau top He met with high-level defense officials and foreign officials, as well as heads of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy Cov. The most important of these was the delivery of 22 twin-engine, canard-delta wing Rafale-M fighter jets and four trainer aircraft. However, no announcement has been made about these meetings so far.
