SOURCE: AFI

The debate around India’s fighter jet procurement strategy, particularly concerning the Rafale aircraft from France, has often centered on cost-effectiveness and technological sovereignty. One intriguing angle is the potential of reverse engineering aspects of the Rafale into the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) project, which could offer significant cost savings compared to outright purchasing 110 more Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The cost of acquiring 36 Rafale jets was approximately €7.87 billion, translating to about $8.7 billion or roughly $241 million per jet, including all associated costs like weapon systems and training. Extrapolating this for 110 jets, adjusted for inflation and additional customisations, could push the total expenditure well beyond current estimates, potentially into the tens of billions of dollars.
While reverse engineering isn’t a direct replication, integrating lessons learned from the Rafale into the TEDBF could lead to considerable savings. The TEDBF, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is projected to cost significantly less per unit. Estimates suggest that each TEDBF could be produced for less than $70 million, thanks to the use of Indigenous materials, labour, and the adaptation of existing technologies from projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Building the TEDBF in India leverages economies of scale and local manufacturing capabilities. Not only does this reduce costs due to lower labor rates and no need for foreign currency expenditure, but it also fosters job creation and boosts the local economy. Over time, as production scales up, costs per unit are expected to decrease further due to streamlined processes and supply chains.
The Navy has projected requirements for nearly 145 TEDBF even though it will be procuring 26 Rafale M, the TEDBF Program in a way will draw a lot of inspiration from the Rafale program for the Navy and TEDBF if not better but will be at par with the Rafale M when it enters production sometime in 2033.
The Rafale deal included some technology transfer, but the depth and scope were limited. By reverse engineering certain technologies or design philosophies from the Rafale, India could modify these for the TEDBF, tailoring them to specific Indian military requirements at a fraction of the cost of procuring entirely new aircraft. This includes adapting avionics, weapon integration, and possibly even stealth features, all while respecting IPR boundaries by innovating around patented technologies.
Owning the manufacturing process means that maintenance can be done locally at a lower cost. The Rafale, being a foreign asset, requires significant maintenance support from Dassault, adding to long-term costs. With TEDBF, India would control the entire lifecycle, from production to upgrades, potentially saving billions in maintenance and modernization.
Perhaps the most significant long-term saving comes from strategic autonomy. The TEDBF would not only be cheaper to produce but would also allow India to upgrade and modify the aircraft without external dependencies. This could lead to cost savings in future enhancements, as seen in countries like China, where reverse engineering and indigenous development have led to cost-effective upgrades of their fighter fleets.
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