SOURCE: ABHOY ROY / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
Former Defence Secretary Mohan Kumar recently told media that once the purchase of 126 Dassault Rafale was stalled under UPA government, Modi government had to renegotiate the deal and it was decided to go for 148 aircraft from 126 jets to 148 aircraft through the initial deal was for 36 aircraft in a fly-away status.
112 aircraft could have been made in India under transfer of technology and recent tender for supply of 114 aircraft under new tender suggests the current government is still on track to execute initial plans for the procurement of 148 jets in total.
Indian Navy also has a requirement for 57 Carrier-based fighter jets and with Dassault Rafale already in production locally in India it could have been a prime candidate for further orders which could have further improved price due to the scale of production but with a restless attack by the opposition for pony corruption charges could derail well-sorted plans to buff up IAF’s falling fighter jet squadron.