Three months before he hangs up his flying boots, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne has expressed nervousness and uncertainty for the first time over the country's largest-ever military contract currently under negotiation: the $20-billion medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal for 126 French-built Rafale fighters.
Browne, who has expressed consistent optimism that a deal would be signed by the end of 2013, has struck his first note of anxiousness, no longer willing to put a time-frame to the deal, providing perhaps the clearest indication that it could be delayed.
"We have no back-up plan. If the MMRCA deal isn't signed, there will be a rapid decline in fighter numbers between 2017 and 22. It is imperative that the deal is signed quickly," Browne said at his annual press conference on Friday.
The IAF celebrates its 81st Air Force Day on October 8.
"Negotiations on the MMRCA are still on. Cannot place a timeline on when the deal will be signed. If the deal is delayed till next year, the first aircraft will arrive only in 2017," the chief said.
Over the past 18 months, the Chief has consistently sounded hopeful, assured that the deal would be signed variously by early 2013, mid-2013 and end 2013. For the first time, he doesn't sound so sure anymore.
The sudden death on Wednesday of Arun Kumar Bal, Ministry of Defence's pointsperson on acquisitions and specifically the MMRCA deal, is tragic, and a major setback to the deal, since he was fully in control of the acquisition, said Browne.
Bal had suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week near his Delhi residence.
The Defence Ministry has been in contract negotiations with the Rafale's maker Dassault Aviation for over 18 months now, in a matrix of highly complex discussions over offsets, transfer of technology, maintenance and several other heads in what is easily the country's most strenuous acquisition effort.
In January 2012, the Dassault Rafale was won the high-voltage competition, defeating the European Typhoon and four other jets, including the US-built F-16, F/A-18, Sweden's Gripen and the Russian MiG-35.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 34 combat aircraft squadrons, comprised of Su-30 MKIs, MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Mirage 2000s, MiG-27s and Jaguars.
Against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, this already represents a serious shortfall.
Browne, who has expressed consistent optimism that a deal would be signed by the end of 2013, has struck his first note of anxiousness, no longer willing to put a time-frame to the deal, providing perhaps the clearest indication that it could be delayed.
"We have no back-up plan. If the MMRCA deal isn't signed, there will be a rapid decline in fighter numbers between 2017 and 22. It is imperative that the deal is signed quickly," Browne said at his annual press conference on Friday.
The IAF celebrates its 81st Air Force Day on October 8.
"Negotiations on the MMRCA are still on. Cannot place a timeline on when the deal will be signed. If the deal is delayed till next year, the first aircraft will arrive only in 2017," the chief said.
Over the past 18 months, the Chief has consistently sounded hopeful, assured that the deal would be signed variously by early 2013, mid-2013 and end 2013. For the first time, he doesn't sound so sure anymore.
The sudden death on Wednesday of Arun Kumar Bal, Ministry of Defence's pointsperson on acquisitions and specifically the MMRCA deal, is tragic, and a major setback to the deal, since he was fully in control of the acquisition, said Browne.
Bal had suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week near his Delhi residence.
The Defence Ministry has been in contract negotiations with the Rafale's maker Dassault Aviation for over 18 months now, in a matrix of highly complex discussions over offsets, transfer of technology, maintenance and several other heads in what is easily the country's most strenuous acquisition effort.
In January 2012, the Dassault Rafale was won the high-voltage competition, defeating the European Typhoon and four other jets, including the US-built F-16, F/A-18, Sweden's Gripen and the Russian MiG-35.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 34 combat aircraft squadrons, comprised of Su-30 MKIs, MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Mirage 2000s, MiG-27s and Jaguars.
Against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, this already represents a serious shortfall.
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