CCS Set to Formally Approve 26 Rafale-M Fighters Acquisition for Indian Navy as PM Modi's France Visit Approaches

In a significant move to strengthen India's naval aviation capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to formally approve the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation.

This major defence deal, which has already been greenlit by the Ministry of Defence, is anticipated to be a key highlight during PM Modi's upcoming visit to Paris.

The deal, estimated to be worth $7.2 billion, includes the procurement of 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and four twin-seater Rafale trainers. These aircraft are specifically designed for naval operations and are capable of operating from aircraft carriers, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy's operational range and combat effectiveness.

The CCS approval is expected to coincide with Prime Minister Modi's visit to Paris for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit on February 10-11, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

This summit not only signifies a growing collaboration between India and France in the field of technology but also provides a strategic platform for strengthening defence ties.

The Rafale-M jets will be integrated into the Indian Navy's fleet, operating from its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The acquisition is seen as a crucial step towards modernizing the naval air arm, replacing the aging MiG-29K jets that have been in service for decades.

The Rafale-M, with its advanced avionics, multi-role capabilities, and carrier-based operational capabilities, will significantly bolster the Navy's strike and deterrent capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

[R. Singh]

CCS must approve 24 Rafale F-4 along with Rafale-M !

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Rafales are too expensive for export buyers. French air force rdered 42 rafales for 5.5 billion or 131 million per aircraft and india is ordering 26 rafales for 7.2 billion or 277million per aircraft.

we are indirectly subsidizing french air force.

 

[Anant]

Rafales are too expensive for export buyers. French air force rdered 42 rafales for 5.5 billion or 131 million per aircraft and india is ordering 26 rafales for 7.2 billion or 277million per aircraft.

we are indirectly subsidizing french air force.

We are not subsidizing the French Air Force. We are essentially paying off Dassault's research costs, as the FASF essentially buys the jets at cost, with the export premiums paying off the research and other fixed costs.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Good purchase as there were no other aircrafts to consider. TDBEF is on drawing boards. MRFA tender next for 114 Rafales F4? Surely not.

 

[Scronkfinkle]

Why don't they send it to the US Senate too for approval, and maybe even the NATO block for approval? Useless chai-samosa buster committees with no acumen or knowledge of velocity, quality, and critical quantity in defence procurement are wasting time for over five years. These are all tricks to squeeze kickbacks. I feel sorry for our warriors. The order should have been for 56 as opposed to 26. The MiG-29K will retire; what would you fly then? The TEDBF on paper? They have made this country look like a joke.

 

[Enforcer]

Rafales are too expensive for export buyers. French air force rdered 42 rafales for 5.5 billion or 131 million per aircraft and india is ordering 26 rafales for 7.2 billion or 277million per aircraft.

we are indirectly subsidizing french air force.

Its true but we don't have any other option. Mig 29K are garbage. Super Hornet is good but navy wants commonality with air force for training maintenance and spares, which I completely agree with.

 

[Enforcer]

We are not subsidizing the French Air Force. We are essentially paying off Dassault's research costs, as the FASF essentially buys the jets at cost, with the export premiums paying off the research and other fixed costs.

Exactly true. The profits will mostly go towards new R&D, projects and setting up new production lines.

 

[Enforcer]

Good purchase as there were no other aircrafts to consider. TDBEF is on drawing boards. MRFA tender next for 114 Rafales F4? Surely not.

Just forget TEDBF. That plane's first flight won't even happen till 2030. After which it will be too outdated to even worth building. Its a waste of money. Can't even be exported since very few navies actually have aircraft carriers and most of them use F35 B&C already.

 

[Chinese eater]

Indonesia ordered 42 Rafale for € 8.2 Billions.
why India getting only 26 ?? Why 36 for $10 B ?

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Its true but we don't have any other option. Mig 29K are garbage. Super Hornet is good but navy wants commonality with air force for training maintenance and spares, which I completely agree with.

True. But this will ensure that france does not get orders after 2030 from India.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

We are not subsidizing the French Air Force. We are essentially paying off Dassault's research costs, as the FASF essentially buys the jets at cost, with the export premiums paying off the research and other fixed costs.

it is in a sense subsidizing french air force because if export orders werenot there then the research and other fixed costs you mentioned would have to be borne by french air force.

 

[White T POISON]

Just set up a production line for the rafales, m-88 and p-53 engines. Get the second hand mirages and we are golden.
Get the f-15EX in the mrfa and get the f-35 with g2g

 

[Savio Gomes]

Indonesia ordered 42 Rafale for € 8.2 Billions.
why India getting only 26 ?? Why 36 for $10 B ?

India got just 26 for €7bn

 

[Akshat]

Rafales are too expensive for export buyers. French air force rdered 42 rafales for 5.5 billion or 131 million per aircraft and india is ordering 26 rafales for 7.2 billion or 277million per aircraft.

we are indirectly subsidizing french air force.

No we ain't. Firstly, the price we are paying has weapons, cost of ToT, and cost of offsets as well. At least a third of the cost will go to them, which France doesn't have to pay for. Then of course, French government invested in the program, while we threw money to give permanent jobs to DRDO and HAL employees. So we will have to pay for the risk they have taken, won't we?

 

[Akshat]

True. But this will ensure that france does not get orders after 2030 from India.

France, or some other foreign nation, will keep getting orders till the time we keep paying for the permanent jobs and perks of HAL and DRDO.

 

[Akshat]

Its true but we don't have any other option. Mig 29K are garbage. Super Hornet is good but navy wants commonality with air force for training maintenance and spares, which I completely agree with.

Well Navy did say that they have cleared both F18 and Rafale and the decision rests with MoD. So that means Raflaes have proven to be less expensive than even F18.

 

[Akshat]

Indonesia ordered 42 Rafale for € 8.2 Billions.
why India getting only 26 ?? Why 36 for $10 B ?

What's the ToT level for them? And our foreign planes are usually nuclear capable. So that will cost extra. I also haven't heard of Meteor or stuff included in their package.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

India got just 26 for €7bn

Yeah. That is what i am saying. We are paying too much

 

[Hey]

Just forget TEDBF. That plane's first flight won't even happen till 2030. After which it will be too outdated to even worth building. Its a waste of money. Can't even be exported since very few navies actually have aircraft carriers and most of them use F35 B&C already.

Currently TEDBF is program based on some imagination as it is only on papers , hasn't approved from the government.. All timelines will come into force after the gov approval