Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar preet Singh is on a four-day visit to France as India is moving ahead with the procurement of 114 new Rafale fighter jets. It is one of the largest fighter aircraft procurement plans in the history of the Indian Air Force.
According to Defence Ministry sources, India has sent an official proposal to France for the purchase of Rafale jets.
France will now respond with details on pricing, production capacity, and logistics support. The response is expected in the next two to three months. After that, formal talks between the two countries will begin. Officials believe the deal could be finalised within the next year.
The Air Force Chief’s visit is not being seen as merely ceremonial. He is expected to meet officials of France’s major defence companies. These include Dassault Aviation, which manufactures the Rafale, and MBDA that makes advanced missiles like Meteor and SCALP.
The discussions are believed to go beyond just aircraft procurement. Talks may also cover production in India, technical cooperation, and integration of Indian weapons.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also visit France in mid-June. If the visit takes place, the Rafale deal could be among the key issues.
The deal is being advanced under the Government-to-Government model. Therefore, the role of top leadership from both countries is considered crucial.
The Indian Air Force has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. But it currently has only 29 squadrons. The shortfall has widened after the phase-out of older aircraft like the MiG-21.
