He is in BRF
@PARIKRAMA You means 189 rafale for IAF is the total number
And How it is going to order/license manufacture in batches/tranches
There 2 sides to this set up
Tranche 1 off the shelf 36+options mostly F3 OT4 (same as MMRCA)
Tranche 2 Make In India assembly line 90+follow on options
The direct numbers will make 126 and options at present 18(off the shelf) + 45(MII) will fit in
There is a talk that IAF may finally have F3R in indian assembly line and later directly F3R2.. The earlier F3 version would be directly upgraded to F3R2 (bypassing F3R)
The plan envisions 14 jets assembled in India per year so order of 90 in 6 and a half years or round it up to 7 years. Its suppose to start producing jets around 2019-20 timeline with initial clearance expected in 2016-17 max post which 2.5-3 years for line set up and start of production.
There is another option discussed that a similar 45 jets may be ordered from France directly and 45 options may become Rafale-M for IN, Implying 189 remains IAF target and 45 additional for IN under MII
A good indicator would be FGFA deal. If we announce our intention to buy XXX numbers of PAKFA/FGFA with off the shelf/made by HAL before March 2016, then in this year upto March 2016 Rafale has teh highest chance of contratc signature.
April 2016-March 2017 - is the year when contract for FGFA would be formally signed. The offset for Rafales MII would start getting implemented with perhaps the assembly line setup
April 2018-March 2019 - Announcement of contract signing of Rafale undr MII and delivery starting within 2.5 years (1 year already used up to do initial setup via offsets). The initial directly from France 36 order Rafales would start joining IAF fleet (probably Q3/Q4 approx Dec - March time).
Thus, MOD may allocate the money accordingly for bulk big contract tranches and see to it everything is staggered.
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This is what i have learned after talking with my source.