India Looks for Alternative to France’s Rafale Fighter Jet

[samlove]

India will consider alternatives to France’s Rafale combat aircraft, the head of the country’s air force said on Thursday.

Arul Raha voiced hope that the contract for the supply of 36 fighters will be signed by the end of 2015, but added that this amount was not enough and that the country should consider other options.


“The Indian Air Force needs at least 108 fighters to serve the basis for six full squadrons. It can be Rafale or any other plane with similar characteristics,” Raha said.

He stressed that the Air Force did not insist on the acquisition of the Rafale planes.

“After the multi-billion dollar tender for the supply of 126 medium-range multirole combat aircraft was scrapped, we hoped to get new offers, which can also be implemented with the participation of the domestic aviation industry as part of the ‘Made in India’” program, he added.

In mid-February it became known that India had refused to buy the 126 Rafale planes after the final price exceeded by almost half the initial price tag of $10 billion.

MMRCA — one of the world’s biggest tenders for the supply of military aircraft – had in mind the purchase of 126 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force. France’s Dessault Company won the tender in in January 2012.

 

[aftab_s81]

Any Indian friend can highlight how true is this?

I think they are only talking about addition 44 rafales.

 

[Abingdonboy]

India will consider alternatives to France’s Rafale combat aircraft, the head of the country’s air force said on Thursday.

Arul Raha voiced hope that the contract for the supply of 36 fighters will be signed by the end of 2015, but added that this amount was not enough and that the country should consider other options.


“The Indian Air Force needs at least 108 fighters to serve the basis for six full squadrons. It can be Rafale or any other plane with similar characteristics,” Raha said.

He stressed that the Air Force did not insist on the acquisition of the Rafale planes.

“After the multi-billion dollar tender for the supply of 126 medium-range multirole combat aircraft was scrapped, we hoped to get new offers, which can also be implemented with the participation of the domestic aviation industry as part of the ‘Made in India’” program, he added.

In mid-February it became known that India had refused to buy the 126 Rafale planes after the final price exceeded by almost half the initial price tag of $10 billion.

MMRCA — one of the world’s biggest tenders for the supply of military aircraft – had in mind the purchase of 126 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force. France’s Dessault Company won the tender in in January 2012.

This is hardly what the CAS said. He was clearly saying he wants (and expects to get) 6 additional squadrons of Rafales. He is not going to want to step on his political masters' toes too much so kept the comments open-ended but he is never going to be happy with 2 different types of aircraft in the same category and that too when one is coming in such small numbers (36).


Make no mistake, if 36 Rafales are coming 100+ more are on their way behind them.

 

[killer elite]

Any Indian friend can highlight how true is this?

I think they are only talking about addition 44 rafales.

media is just twisting the news. actually what air force is saying.."they want more rafale or rafale like jets"... simply they are asking for more rafale.

 

[samlove]

This is hardly what the CAS said. He was clearly saying he wants (and expects to get) 6 additional squadrons of Rafales. He is not going to want to step on his political masters' toes too much so kept the comments open-ended but he is never going to be happy with 2 different types of aircraft in the same category and that too when one is coming in such small numbers (36).


Make no mistake, if 36 Rafales are coming 100+ more are on their way behind them.

only if those 100 are made in india otherwise i dont expect tht

 

[Jacob Martin]

The things that will happen before MMRCA is resolved:

1. We will have a one-world government.
2. The concept of war would have been outlawed.
3. India and Pakistan would have unified as a single state in the unitary world.

 

[Sine Nomine]

The things that will happen before MMRCA is resolved:

1. We will have a one-world government.
2. The concept of war would have been outlawed.
3. India and Pakistan would have unified as a single state in the unitary world.

And our bones and skulls if found will be studied who these peoples in Ancient times use to troll.....

 

[GR!FF!N]

I'm smelling EF..

 

[Oracle]

If india will again change its plan of buying those 36 aircraft then France will never ever trust india . A billion dollor drama for years

 

[GR!FF!N]

If india will again change its plan of buying those 36 aircraft then France will never ever trust india . A billion dollor drama for years

LOL,we don't need their trust,rather their product..Just like we need Pakistan's Onion.

 

[The Ultranationalist]

induct 50 at least you bureaucratic fools.

 

[Mani2020]

If this statement is true then i guess iaf is trying to play Its cards right ..the way I see It ...modi government is in no mood to bring in more rafales due to high cost instead they are insisting on buying tejas ...on the other hand iaf kept on insisting for rafales but in the mean time they have sensed paf's interest in su35s (although even its just a 10% probability of paf getting it or even everything is based upon rumors) now they are saying OK you don't want to let us buy rafales ...buy us some similar capability aircarfts ...that is where mig35 or su35 option comes in ....because other than these iaf has already tested almost all the aircraft's in that category out there ...they won't be turning back to eft because again same cost factor....so here is a great chance that iaf can get their hands on to mig35 or su35 thus eliminating even the minorest of probability that paf might get the latter ....if true it would be a great strategic move on part of iaf and paf once again will have to live with f16s

 

[Oldman1]

I'm smelling EF..

Didn't India chose Rafale over EF because of price?

 

[Luca1]

Didn't India chose Rafale over EF because of price?

India can never buy anything without bargaining.

 

[Archie]

Someone should have told the IAF about Budget constraints from the start

F/A18 super hornet was the second best Aircraft in terms of Strike missions and would have cost 40% less than what the Rafale is costing us