French Rafale emerges as a clear winner

New Delhi, Feb, 2: The race for the world's largest fighter plane deal which ended today as the French Rafale emerges as a clear winner. The Indian Air Force has decided to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets from France for Rs 52,000 crores.

The Rafale fighter jet built by the French firm Dassault emerged who had placed the lowest tender in the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition beating the Eurofighter.

The Rafale has been chosen because of life-cycle costs and top-level operational performance the Air force finds convenience as they finds it has some similarity with Mirage-2000 which is with them. Negotiations will also include important technology transfers guaranteed by the French Government. 

The realization of the Rafale project will illustrate the depth and scale of the strategic partnership between France and India commenting on the deal French president told that it was win of superior technology.The Rafale is a multirole fighter jet which means it can carry out air defence ground attack, and reconnaissance roles. It can carry air to air, anti-ship and air to ground missiles as well.

It is powered by twin delta engines adding to reliability. It is capable of carrying nuclear warheads too.Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia said, "This deal is very good for the Indian air force we actually started a process in 1998 it has continue till now and coming 10 years till it conducted in air force it decently increase the potential of the air force and also of Indian military it will contribute to national security.

"The Rafel does not yet have the sophisticated AESA radar which will enable tracking of multiple targets simultaneously. But Indian Air force believes that it is currently under development in France and will be given to India. Technology transfer and offsets will be critical to successful conclusion of contract negotiations.

The irony for India is the Dassault had informally offered India an advanced version of the Mirage called the Dash Five including its assembly line nearly ten year back. The offers were included some Rafale fighters with them.

The Air Force and  Ministry Defence in their infinite wisdom refused what today will cost more than 52,000 crore to the country it could have been had at a far lower cost if country would have accepted the French offer that time.

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