SOURCE: NITIN GUPTA / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria today assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. Bhadauria who has clocked more than 4050 flying hours on 26 types of Fixed wing fighter jets is an avid supporter of the homegrown LCA-Tejas program and with him being at Top, Defence Analyst back home are expecting fresh orders for 83 more advanced variant of Tejas Mk1A and also steady support for the next-generation Medium Combat Fighter (MCW) program too which is about to go critical, but contenders at the MMRCA 2.0 might be nervous due to his past association with procurement of 36 Rafale by IAF.
Bhadauria was head of the contract negotiation team with France on Rafale Deal and under his watch complex hurdles were overcome, thus paving way for the deal of 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France. Rafale made for India have serial number RB and according to Indian media reports RB are initials of Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria but some reports hints it’s not.
IAF is keen to close the deal for the purchase of Made in India fighter jets for 114 units once the new government is sworn in after hectic elections currently underway and its first choice likely will remain Dassault Rafale. while it still not clear who will be next Air chief of IAF, but the new government is likely to take a call next on that front to.
Bhadauria is also credited with the formation of the first LCA-Tejas squadron and its required infrastructure. Both LCA-Tejas and Rafale program is likely to see some activity under his command in IAF.