India's Top Gun Enters Politics: Will Fighter Jet Deals Take Flight with Bhadauria in Politics?

Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria's recent foray into politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and his potential candidacy from Ghaziabad, has ignited discussions within both political and defence circles.

Bhadauria, celebrated for his advocacy of indigenous defence programs and decisive strategic procurement choices, brings a distinctive viewpoint to the political landscape.

A Background Steeped in Aviation and Advocacy​

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria boasts an esteemed career within the Indian Air Force (IAF). A former LCA-Tejas test pilot, he was instrumental in pushing forward India's homegrown defence capabilities.

His steadfast support for initiatives such as the Tejas MkII reflects his dedication to strengthening India's defence sector and mitigating reliance on imported military hardware.

Bhadauria's term saw considerable shifts in defence procurement approaches. He championed the acquisition of 114 multirole fighter aircraft (MRFA), emphasizing domestic production to revamp India's air force while bolstering indigenous manufacturing.

Furthermore, his well-known backing for procuring an additional 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets in batches exemplified a pragmatic strategy to augment India's aerial prowess through tactical partnerships and acquisitions.

Political Entry: Potential Impact on Fighter Aircraft Landscape​

Bhadauria's political debut may provide the impetus the IAF needs to secure another batch of Rafale aircraft. The MRFA tender has stalled for the past eight years, and Bhadauria's influence could revitalize the process.

Additionally, the former Air Chief Marshal has been a strong proponent of the Tejas MkII and AMCA programs, both of which have been granted CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) clearance and are currently under development.

Implications and Considerations​

Bhadauria's transition into politics raises intriguing possibilities for India's defence sector. His insider knowledge and commitment to strengthening the IAF could influence future procurements and policies. It remains to be seen how his political influence will shape the IAF's modernization trajectory.

 

[sanket]

with Recent news about China J-20 having in 200 jets India should go for 114 Rafale with Make in india. another 36 are Not Enough and Most Important spare and component issue arises at war time similar to Mirage-2000 Only solution Long wait Buy & Make 114 Rafales under Make in India with ToT.

 

[NSR]

Did he get a ticket yet to contest?

May be PM should appoint him as head of the consolidated fighter aircraft and helicopter engine project and ask him to think out of box ways to come up with great engine eco system.
His fervent support for IAF and new technology makes him a great candidate.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

Bhadauriyaji:– From blue to saffron 🔵🍊.

Better if he has been chosen as CDS for sake of inter-service diversity.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

with Recent news about China J-20 having in 200 jets India should go for 114 Rafale with Make in india. another 36 are Not Enough and Most Important spare and component issue arises at war time similar to Mirage-2000 Only solution Long wait Buy & Make 114 Rafales under Make in India with ToT.

It will take 15 years to build 114 rafale jets in India. We can build that many tejas mk2 at one third the money cost in India in same time.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I dont think his becoming an MP or a minister will effect things. He is unlikely to be in defence ministry. General VK singh was also never in defence ministry. In his last tenure as minister, he was a MoS foreign ministry.

 

[Akshat]

It will take 15 years to build 114 rafale jets in India. We can build that many tejas mk2 at one third the money cost in India in same time.

All wrong numbers. 😂😂

HAL has already missed its own deadline for mk2. It isn’t getting inducted for at least another 15 years. As for Rafale, only delay is signing of the deal. There was a report that Dassault will make 24 planes annually. And manufacturing in India will start in 5 years after deal signing (15% of the planes will be delivered within 5 years from France). That would mean delivery will be completed within 4-5 years.

Coming to cost. Tejas mk1a doesn’t cost 1/3rd of what Rafale costs. It doesn’t even cost half of what Rafale costs. So mk2 is…forget it.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

All wrong numbers. 😂😂

HAL has already missed its own deadline for mk2. It isn’t getting inducted for at least another 15 years. As for Rafale, only delay is signing of the deal. There was a report that Dassault will make 24 planes annually. And manufacturing in India will start in 5 years after deal signing (15% of the planes will be delivered within 5 years from France). That would mean delivery will be completed within 4-5 years.

Coming to cost. Tejas mk1a doesn’t cost 1/3rd of what Rafale costs. It doesn’t even cost half of what Rafale costs. So mk2 is…forget it.

Rafale is being built for more than 2 decades now, and its production numbers is still less than 15. You are in fantasy if you think productiin can be saled up to 24. Also, india will potentially see an assembly line, but still majority of parts will be imported and lead times for high tech parts is 3-4 years. If production of fighter jet needs to scale up then production of parts will also need to scale up.

Rafale has huge backlog of 200+ jets. That means parts of those jets need to be built and they are ahead in line to India.

Also the rafales being offered to India are not the latest variant.

Basically we will get jets with 20 year old technology by the time last jet gets delivered in 2040.

 

[Akshat]

Rafale is being built for more than 2 decades now, and its production numbers is still less than 15. You are in fantasy if you think productiin can be saled up to 24. Also, india will potentially see an assembly line, but still majority of parts will be imported and lead times for high tech parts is 3-4 years. If production of fighter jet needs to scale up then production of parts will also need to scale up.

Rafale has huge backlog of 200+ jets. That means parts of those jets need to be built and they are ahead in line to India.

Also the rafales being offered to India are not the latest variant.

Basically we will get jets with 20 year old technology by the time last jet gets delivered in 2040.

The exact number itself is absolutely irrelevant. Last year, Dassault had a capacity of 15, and produced 13. That’s 86.66% capacity utilization. Even if we assume your numbers regarding HAL to be true, HAL has used barely ~30% of its capacity in the last one year. Dassault had boosted its delivery numbers to 20+ in the past, when it delivered to India, Egypt and Qatar at the same time. So you are living in fool’s land if you believe it’s not possible.

They may not be the latest but they are the best in class as of now. Mk2 will also be outdated by the time deliveries finish in 2090.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

It will take 15 years to build 114 rafale jets in India. We can build that many tejas mk2 at one third the money cost in India in same time.

Mark 2 (6 tonnes) has less payload capacity then Rafale (9.5 tonnes). Moreover, we need 240 Tejas Mark II class aircrafts (12 squadrons), which will take at least 10 years to manufacture after the introduction to the forces. Because aircraft production capacity is 24-26 at Max.

This production rate is too less with respect to IAF requirement (shortage of squadron strength) . So it is better to go for 114 Rafales and established new production facility in India (DRAL facility) . This can double fighter jet induction rate for IAF (if HAL can maintain stable production rate).

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Mark 2 (6 tonnes) has less payload capacity then Rafale (9.5 tonnes). Moreover, we need 240 Tejas Mark II class aircrafts (12 squadrons), which will take at least 10 years to manufacture after the introduction to the forces. Because aircraft production capacity is 24-26 at Max.

This production rate is too less with respect to IAF requirement (shortage of squadron strength) . So it is better to go for 114 Rafales and established new production facility in India (DRAL facility) . This can double fighter jet induction rate for IAF (if HAL can maintain stable production rate).

well, production rate is dependent on how much you invest and how many orders you make. Right now the expected order is for 240 jets of tejas mk2. This is because MRFA with its 114 jets is still on table. But if you cancel MRFA, the order for tejas mk2 will rise to 400 jets to compensate for MRFA. And the money to be spent on MRFA production can be spent on setting up additional production of Tejas mk2. Instead of 24 jets we can build 35-36 jets a year.

And payload capacity is not the only criteria for jet selection. For heavier payloads, we already have 200+ sukhois. Tejas mk2 is F-16 class aircraft. It is allrounder. not as capable as rafale, but it would cost us 1/3 of rafale.

 

[Sandeep]

If he becomes a MP then he will definitely be kept out of the MOD. As for the MRFA India should scrap that very expensive $20+ billion deal. Instead India should focus on developing and manufacturing its own indigenous Tejas MK1A and MK2 and the AMCA jets.

To speed up production rates then HAL should give a free license to private companies to manufacture the jets as it will help a lot rather than HAL doing it all alone.

 

[Rudra]

well, production rate is dependent on how much you invest and how many orders you make. Right now the expected order is for 240 jets of tejas mk2. This is because MRFA with its 114 jets is still on table. But if you cancel MRFA, the order for tejas mk2 will rise to 400 jets to compensate for MRFA. And the money to be spent on MRFA production can be spent on setting up additional production of Tejas mk2. Instead of 24 jets we can build 35-36 jets a year.

And payload capacity is not the only criteria for jet selection. For heavier payloads, we already have 200+ sukhois. Tejas mk2 is F-16 class aircraft. It is allrounder. not as capable as rafale, but it would cost us 1/3 of rafale.

You are right. Both India and France can manufacture more than 50 aircraft annually, if they want to. The only thing needed is investment. For that the concerned parties need motivation and a clear vision. People forget that man managed to land on the moon in a mere 12 years from the time, when the first satellite was launched in space. If our government maintains a clear vision and a competitive stance, I'm sure that the needed number of aircraft manufactured annually, can be achieved. It would be better if we focus on our indigenous products over foreign weapons.

 

[GMR]

What rubbish analysis!!

 

[Pad UwU]

If they reboot that, they should already decided it long time before they publicly publish that China already had 200 j20 in their inventory vs 36 rafales that we had😹😹😹

 

[Dredd]

It will take 15 years to build 114 rafale jets in India. We can build that many tejas mk2 at one third the money cost in India in same time.

Tejas Mk2 need ti be developed by ADA who are known for delays, Even if they complete the development and testing on time, it will take HAL couple of years to create production line which again will depend on orders from IAF. even at their best this program will be delayed by atleast 3-4 years.

 

[Dredd]

All wrong numbers. 😂😂

HAL has already missed its own deadline for mk2. It isn’t getting inducted for at least another 15 years. As for Rafale, only delay is signing of the deal. There was a report that Dassault will make 24 planes annually. And manufacturing in India will start in 5 years after deal signing (15% of the planes will be delivered within 5 years from France). That would mean delivery will be completed within 4-5 years.

Coming to cost. Tejas mk1a doesn’t cost 1/3rd of what Rafale costs. It doesn’t even cost half of what Rafale costs. So mk2 is…forget it.

IAF will reduce the order number of Tejas Mk2 if they don't meet the deadline, this is already the stand of IAF.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Tejas Mk2 need ti be developed by ADA who are known for delays, Even if they complete the development and testing on time, it will take HAL couple of years to create production line which again will depend on orders from IAF. even at their best this program will be delayed by atleast 3-4 years.

This program is already delayed by 2-3 years. I dont believe it will be delayed further. First flight will be in 2026

 

[Akshat]

IAF will reduce the order number of Tejas Mk2 if they don't meet the deadline, this is already the stand of IAF.

IAF was also supposed to impose a penalty on HAL when they missed the deadline of mk1a. No one can do anything to HAL and DRDO

 

[desigandu]

IAF desperately needs additional capacity (with capability) and if we decide to go for 114 Rafales (which I think is a good option) the key will be to solve the assembly line bottleneck fast...Can we sign for Rafales in 2025 (36 flyby + rest made in India) starting delivery by 2028...If the earliest Rafales come only by 2032-2035, then we may be better off either cancelling MRFA (focusing on Tejas-Mk2s) or going in for latest F-15s which may come sooner, or change fully to F-35s (72-96 planes; provided the Americans play ball, which I think they will if we do some things).