After the recent India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Defense Ministry has reconsidered its position on acquiring more Rafale fighter jets from France, and is likely to opt for 5th-gen stealth fighters like Su-57 or F-35A.
In a major blow to French aerospace manufacture Dassault Aviation, India is reportedly mulling to reduce the number of Rafale fighter jets in the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, and instead opt for a 5th-generation fighter jet– either the Sukhoi Su-57, or the F-35A– from Russia or the United States, respectively.
Why India doesn’t want Rafales anymore?
According to reports, after the recent India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Defense Ministry has reconsidered its position on acquiring more Rafale fighter jets from France, and is likely to make sweeping changes in the tender process for the 114 Rafale fighter planes, and instead of issuing tenders, may opt to sign government to government level agreements for the purchase.
Reports suggest that the Indian government may halve the number of Rafale F4 fighter jets in the original tender from 114 to about 60, and purchase an equal number of 5th-generation stealth fighter jets from either Russia or the United States. The move is aimed to strengthen the combat capability of the Indian Air Force, and fill the need for a next-gen fighter fleet till India’s homegrown AMCA becomes ready for operational use.
How India’s decisions impacts Dassault Aviation?
The decision to cut the Rafale purchase in half is a major blow to Dassault Aviation as the French defence and aerospace manufacturer had demanded an order of at least 100 units to set up a full-scale production line in India. However, now the tables have turned as the Defense Ministry has asked the French aerospace giant that the partial assembly of Rafale F4 jets must be done in India to boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has been tasked with manufacturing the fuselage (airframe body) of Rafale, which confirms that the aircraft will be partially assembled in India. Additionally, India could also ask Dassault to reduce the per unit cost as a mandatory condition for the purchase.
Which 5th-gen stealth fighter will India buy?
Its no secret that India is rapidly seeking to acquire a 5th-generation stealth fighter jet, especially since Pakistan has already announced that it’s air force will receive a fleet of 5th-gen J-35 fighters from China. While Pakistan is restricted to most of its arms imports from China, India has two options with regards the purchase of a next-gen fighter aircraft– the Sukhoi Su-57E from Russia, and the F-35A or F-35 Lightning II from the United States.
However, both options carry their own unique political and technical baggage. While the F-35 comes with several crippling conditions and end-usage restrictions, serious questions have been raised on the actual efficacy and technology used in the Russian Su-57 and the manufacturing capacity of Russia, especially amid the war with Ukraine.
