Dassault's Hesitancy on ToT for Rafale May Further Delay India's MRFA Program

India's ambitious plans for acquiring 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under a new "Make in India" policy may face challenges due to the reluctance of Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Rafale fighter jet, to comply with technology transfer requirements.

The Indian government's new policy mandates that the chosen aircraft for the MRFA program not only be purchased but also fully manufactured within India. This shift in policy signifies a strong push for self-reliance in the defence sector.

Despite the Rafale being a frontrunner in previous MRFA bids and India's ongoing procurement of the aircraft, Dassault's hesitation to share critical technology for local production could be a major hurdle. This is despite the fact that Dassault is experiencing a surge in export orders for the Rafale, with a backlog exceeding 200 units.

The new MRFA policy aims to establish a robust domestic aerospace industry, going beyond mere assembly to include full production and technology transfer. This is in line with the government's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative.

However, Dassault's reluctance could lead to potential delays in the MRFA acquisition timeline. Other contenders for the contract, including Boeing, SAAB, Lockheed Martin, Russia's MiG, and the Eurofighter Typhoon, may now have an advantage if they are more willing to meet the new policy's stringent requirements.

This situation presents a complex challenge for India, as it seeks to balance its immediate need for fighter jets with its long-term goal of developing a self-sufficient defence industry. The outcome of this negotiation with Dassault and other potential vendors will be crucial in determining the future of India's MRFA program and its broader aspirations for self-reliance in defence.

It remains to be seen how this impasse will be resolved, but it is clear that the stakes are high for both Dassault and India. The successful implementation of the MRFA program is crucial for India's national security, and Dassault's willingness to adapt to the new policy could determine its continued involvement in the Indian defence market.

 

[Pad UwU]

It would be nice if Boeing gives maximum possible TOT and the US government doesn't impose any restrictions for F-15EX. Then we can go for it. Either that or increase the number of Tejas every year.

Yeah that would be lovely

 

[Pad UwU]

With SU-30 upgrade in the pipeline, I wonder if they will go for F15, we could make 200 Gripen and for the Navy we could go with 50+ F/A-18 made in India.

Su30mki upgrade needs to be a super version not a incremental upgrade

 

[james mani]

IAF and MOD take a choice to FULL FILL Indian dreams of make in India and Support IAF needs without compromise

 

[Philippe Picard]

F15EX is much better multirole air superiority against su30mki.... It's also much better than rafale f3 or f4.2.... if we didn't get the f15ex, then we should instead get EFT and force eurofighter consortium to make us it's new member as it's asian hub and developer so we can integrate our own Uttam radar, other sensor plus our missile. Its much better too if UK, Germany, Spain and Italy branch out here😹😹😹.... In the end US would be having headache if they want sanctions us, so the final thought is that it would be a waste of time for US neither the European eurofighter consortium because we are part of their ecosystem...

gripen too is a good choice LMAO, why would we shun a chicken when it's already letting us to bite it😹😹😹

indeed, your anglo-saxon master is vastly superior to the French puddles. Rafale 4.2 is already obsolete compare to the Ef tranche 3, especially the UK version....God Bless the king.

 

[Philippe Picard]

Yeah that would be lovely

keep dreaming...

 

[Philippe Picard]

Dassault play balled 10 years ago, that’s the reason for the cancellation of MRCA 1.0, at-least at that time they didn’t have a single export order, they will definitely play ball with their order book full for another 10 years, there is no surprise, these guys at MOD wasted 10 precious years, dragging this, we should have jumped to Typhoon 10 years ago, dumping Rafale alltogether at that time.

Except SA and the European (even UK is not in Europe), nobody buy the Typhoon and even SA consider to buy the Rafale rightnow. The only serious contender of the F-35 is the Rafale.

 

[PKPRS]

Su30mki upgrade needs to be a super version not a incremental upgrade

After upgrade they say it will be better than SU-35, so in that case they wouldn’t be interested in a similar class product, if they select any 4th gen jet from US it will be either F21 or F/A-18 or both, when it comes between F21 and Gripen they will rather choose Gripen which is modern, Typhoon also has more chances depending on TOT.

 

[Man-ju]

This actually comes from the New Indian Express article regarding MMRCA where "Sources" are claiming. Let's not jump to conclusions, this may be a promotional report on behalf of US. Whether this is true or false have faith in our government and hope the best fighter wins 😉. Atleast that seems to be the plot.

 

[Man-ju]

Akshat should explain us why France his beloved company is not willing to give Transfer of Technology to India???🤔🧐
and his bias approach that it's already a
done deal of MRFA procurement. That sometimes he's like a payed up campaigner or salesman of Dassault France 😹😹😹

Akshat pls enlighten us in your opinion about this article 😺

Why target one person? First of all what is the authenticity of the claims in this article.

 

[Jessica Cheong]

Wow this is so call ambitious to get the ToT from other countries? If people not transfer the technology just sit down and crying? Ambitious is to R&D and develop the technology yourself, not like a beggar to beg for something from someone

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Lets not rely too much on US. You never know when will they impose sanctions.

You can absolutely rely on US. just look at pakistan, they were on FATF grey list for so long, saudis murdered an american journalist in their embassy, qatar supports and gives shelters to terrorists (hamas and taliban), yet america has no hesitation selling them all the weapons they need.

You can always rely on USA when it comes to buying weapons from them.

 

[Varaaah]

Do like the Brazilian. Buy components and assemble your own configuration, till you can make these planes yourself.

 

[PKPRS]

Then all except Saab and RAC-MIG will remain in MRFA as USA, EuroGmBh Sukhoi will NEVER allowed 100% ToT's..

If we can get MIG-35 for dirt cheap or even SU-75, both options are highly doubtful at this time to escape from the wrath of many Countries.

We have advantage in making either SAAB Gripen or MIG-35, in case of MIG-35 we already make the engine RD-33MK locally, we are planning on upgrading all our MIGS to UPG standard that includes replacing the old engine with RD-33MK engine, in case of Gripen we will soon be making GE-F414 engine, if that doesn’t happen or gets dragged indefinitely then we might make MIG-35.

 

[PKPRS]

which company will do tech transfer just for sake of 36 to 100+ fighter aircraft...
if we have enough money try to buy dassault or buy 49/51 % stake (sure french or usa politicians will not allow it)... OR just be pure customer without conjjucy of technology...

Post tech transfer as if Indians are innocent, wont they try to compete with original vendor themselves in other country fighter aircraft markets ?

If SAAB is selected they will make 200 also, that was the plan a while ago.

 

[kumar]

You can absolutely rely on US. just look at pakistan, they were on FATF grey list for so long, saudis murdered an american journalist in their embassy, qatar supports and gives shelters to terrorists (hamas and taliban), yet america has no hesitation selling them all the weapons they need.

You can always rely on USA when it comes to buying weapons from them.

That's because US needed Pakistan for their war on terror and keep them arming terrorists

 

[desigandu]

You can ask the Americans for anything. Whether or not they offer it is another matter entirely.

Times are changing and the Americans are much more open to India, not because they just love us now, but the fact that American capacity has relatively declined worldwide since 2000, more so in the indo-pacific and given we are already in coldwar2 they want India on their side,, even without a formal alliance…Also in the long term there is no one but India who has the ambition, the foundation and the resources to be a great power…Americans are smart, ruthless and will do what it takes for their national interest - and so should Bharat…Jai Hind…Jai Bharat…China must be neutered, contained and eventually balkanised for the good of the world…

 

[desigandu]

The deals mandated that most of the MRFA fleet would have to be locally manufactured. The idea was never 100% ToT. It has long been known that'll any local production will involve, atleast to an extent, screwdrivering.

However, this article now, if true, would suggest Dassault has some issue with the pre-existing level of ToT that was in place had they won the order. If that is the case, then we need to look deeply at it.

Complete production won't happen, boss. The timelines simply do not allow for it. As it is, I have a feeling it'd just be 96 locally built plus 18 purchased off-the-shelf.

Still acceptable if we get 36 in flyaway condition, delivered by 2028, and production of the rest 12-18 per year locally by 2029-2030, with JV, local suppliers and increasing amount of TOT…

 

[desigandu]

IMPOSSIBLE!! USA-Congress will NEVER EVER allow 100% tech transfers to India. Just look at GEF414 deal they are giving only 80% because US-Congress disallowed full ToT's...

Why should they?

 

[Anant]

Still acceptable if we get 36 in flyaway condition, delivered by 2028, and production of the rest 12-18 per year locally by 2029-2030, with JV, local suppliers and increasing amount of TOT…

If we sign a contract today, we might start getting the off-the-shelf Rafales starting 2028-29. As for Rafales being built locally, well, we may have to wait for the next decade before we start getting them. Even so, if you assume 36 are purchased in fly-away condition, that makes for 78 aircraft to be built locally, which would mean a production rate of 11-12 aircraft a year.

 

[Anant]

Times are changing and the Americans are much more open to India, not because they just love us now, but the fact that American capacity has relatively declined worldwide since 2000, more so in the indo-pacific and given we are already in coldwar2 they want India on their side,, even without a formal alliance…Also in the long term there is no one but India who has the ambition, the foundation and the resources to be a great power…Americans are smart, ruthless and will do what it takes for their national interest - and so should Bharat…Jai Hind…Jai Bharat…China must be neutered, contained and eventually balkanised for the good of the world…

America doesn't love India. They never have, and they never will. They love their own position, and want to ensure they remain at the top for all of eternity.

They want India on their side purely as a hedge against China. In many ways, India is the only logical competitor to China. Mark my words when I say that once the Chinese are gone, India will be the next target.

They would absolutely love it if India was to become a Treaty ally to them, something similar to South Korea or Japan or NATO or Australia or New Zealand. I mean, if we did that today and said goodbye to our strategic autonomy, I'll bet you anything that we'd have F-16s and F-35s getting inducted into the IAF before 2030.

However, they have also realised that India isn't like those Treaty Allies. In many ways, India is doing what the Americans have: Look for their own national interest first. For now, as long as Russia and China are the boogey-men for the Americans, they are happy to partner with India. The moment those are gone, India will become the new boogey-man.