New Delhi: India on Friday signed a Euro 7.87 billion (about Rs 59,000 crore) deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets that will meet the Indian Air Force's critical operational requirement for a multi-role combat aircraft and enhance its strategic reach, especially in context of arch rival Pakistan.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian signed the inter-government agreement for purchase of the fighter jets in fly-away condition that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Here is everything you need to know about this Multi-billion Dollar deal between India and France:
-This is the first frontline fighter jet deal in around 20 years, after the purchase of Sukhoi-30 MKIs from Russia in 1997.
-The first Rafale fighter is expected to be delivered in next 36 months and the entire delivery schedule is to be completed in 67 months. India managed to reduce the delivery schedule by at least five months.
-The cost of the entire deal is around 7.87 billion euros. The cost of a Rafale fighter (platform only) is 91.07 million euros for a single seater version and 94 million euros for double seater version. India will buy 28 single seater and 8 double seater versions of Rafale.
-The aircraft has a good turnaround time. It can fly five sorties in a day, while most other aircraft can do only three sorties.
-The Rafale has a modular and automatic weapon loading facility, which enhances operational capability.
-Along with better weapon package, Indian managed to secure associated equipment, training simulator and Performance Based Logistics. Under an all-inclusive deal, France will provide mantainenace-related equipment and manpower for next five years (extendable upto 12 years).
-France will train three pilots, six technicians and other ground staff.
-Weapon package includes Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile like Meteor with range of over 100 km. The Meteor BVRAAM features a state-of-the-art active radar seeker, a two-way data link communication, and a solid-fuelled Ramjet motor to engage a wide range of targets with pin-point accuracy. It also carries a blast fragmentation warhead with proximity and impact fuses for optimum lethality. The missile has high countermeasure resistance and offers the biggest 'no escape zone.'
-There will be several India-specific changes in the Rafale fighters. This includes helmet-mounted screen and cold-start facility to make the aircraft operational in subzero temperatures, Low Band Jammers, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Infra-red Search and Escape System and Missile Warning System.
-The offset limit is 50% in the deal. There is also a provision to make a JV in the deal. Dassault will find and partner and tell the Ministry of Defence.
-It is claimed to be a better deal as compared to 126 MMRCA deal which was aborted by the NDA Goverment after it hit a stalemate.
-Rafale only adds to 2 squadrons while IAF is almost 10 squadrons short of its sanctioned strength of 42.
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