[By Guancha Observer, Wang Shihua] According to a report on April 9th by the website of India's New Delhi Television, the Indian government has approved the purchase of 26 French "Rafale" fighter jets, including 22 naval variants that will be deployed on India's domestically produced aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and 4 two-seater versions for pilot training. This deal is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, with a total amount of approximately 6.6 billion euros. The purchase is expected to include 22 naval variants of the Rafale, which will be deployed on India's aircraft carriers, as well as 4 two-seater versions of the Rafale for pilot training.

In addition to procuring carrier-based aircraft, India may begin negotiations with France for a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to obtain 114 Rafale fighters to replace its increasingly aging fleet. India plans to assemble some of the Rafale fighters domestically.

Figure 1: A photo showing an Indian MiG-29K carrier-based fighter and a French Rafale carrier-based fighter, Figure 2: The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle conducting joint exercises with the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on social media.

India originally planned to develop a "Twin-Engine Carrier Fighter" (TEDBF) project, but the project has been progressing too slowly. In order to quickly form combat capability for its domestic aircraft carriers and also absorb advanced manufacturing technology from foreign military industries, the Indian government had to expedite the task of introducing carrier-based aircraft.

In 2022, the Indian Navy focused on comparing the French Rafale M fighter jets and the American F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters. After months of comprehensive evaluation, they finally decided on the procurement plan for the Rafale M. Reports indicate that the Indian Air Force currently has 2 squadrons of Rafale fighters. If the Indian Navy orders the same carrier-based variant of this aircraft, it can share costs and maintenance expenses in parts, saving funds.

In addition to the carrier-based Rafale fighters, India also plans to procure 114 Rafale fighters.

Sources within defense and security institutions told The Print that India's multirole fighter project (MRFA) agreement will involve Rafale fighters. This transaction will involve Dassault Aviation collaborating with a leading defense industry participant experienced in aviation to establish an assembly line in India.

The sources added that India will purchase some finished Rafale fighters produced by France, but the remaining aircraft will be assembled locally in India. The Indian defense industry plans to mass-purchase components from multiple Indian companies to assemble the Rafale domestically.

India's procurement of the Rafale has been "full of twists and turns." In 2009, India proposed an introduction plan for 126 medium multirole fighters (MMRCA), which developed from the Multirole Fighter Plan (MRCA) in 2001. After Prime Minister Modi came to power in 2014, he canceled the original procurement plan for 126 Rafales, and then India and France re-drafted a new contract, reducing the original order of 126 units to 36.

The Multirole Fighter (MRCA) project is a tender plan released by the Indian government in 2018, aiming to purchase 110 multirole fighters through external procurement for the Indian Air Force. The participating foreign models include Boeing's F/A-18E/F, Dassault's Rafale fighter jets, Lockheed Martin's F-21 fighters, Russia's MiG-35 fighters, and Saab's JAS-39E/F Gripen fighters. Last year, the Indian government modified the target to 114 units and emphasized the "Make in India" policy.

In September 2016, India signed an agreement in New Delhi to purchase 36 Rafale fighters, with the contract valued at 7.9 billion euros (approximately 8.8 billion USD). Delivery was planned between 2019 and 2022. In addition to the Rafale fighters, India also purchased the "Mica" medium-range air-to-air missiles with a range of 70 kilometers and the "Meteor" long-range air-to-air missiles with a range of 150 kilometers, along with accompanying air-to-surface munitions and laser-guided bombs.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491620999247626778/

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