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.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

Wonder if we have $35Billion, what will happen to funding Army and Navy if IAF takes all the money, Dassault has 300 order Backlog, France might soon have to replace lost Rafale's in Ukraine, this added to 300 will create huge supply chain issues, we have to wait 15-20 years to get our new 4th gen $300Mln Rafale, when our 4th gen ORCA and 5th gen AMCA at 1/6th cost will be flying or might even be inducted at that time, Rafale's chance to become IAF's backbone has gone 10 years ago along with MRCA1.0, there is no more future for it except 16-32 more may be.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

So far Dassault only made 6 Rafale's/year for export customers, France might soon have to replace lost Rafale's in Ukraine also, HAL is much better compared to Dassault when it comes to Production rate.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

But at any time they only make 6/year for export customers, there are more chances of France loosing a lot of Rafale's in Ukraine, so they have to make replacements also which will add to the 300 order Backlog already.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

You might have to add 100+Rafale orders from Saudi, talks are on.

 

[Pink Panther]

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).

Tejas and Rafale will take the sametime to induct 10-15 years, so the only immedietly available jets are Gripen-E, Eurofighter, F15 and F21.

 

[Akshat]

But at any time they only make 6/year for export customers, there are more chances of France loosing a lot of Rafale's in Ukraine, so they have to make replacements also which will add to the 300 order Backlog already.

They made 13 last year and are making 2/month right now. 🤣🤣 France and IAF hater exposed again

 

[Akshat]

So far Dassault only made 6 Rafale's/year for export customers, France might soon have to replace lost Rafale's in Ukraine also, HAL is much better compared to Dassault when it comes to Production rate.

Yeah yeah…Dassault is gonna make 30 per year for France right? Dassault CEO has said that they are currently making 2 per month, will go to 3 per month by the end of this year and can go to 4 if more orders come. HAL takes a year to make that many 😂😂

 

[Pink Panther]

Yeah yeah…Dassault is gonna make 30 per year for France right? Dassault CEO has said that they are currently making 2 per month, will go to 3 per month by the end of this year and can go to 4 if more orders come. HAL takes a year to make that many 😂😂

HAL also has capacity to make 24, but it doesn't mean that they can make 24, as some of the bays are used for other projects, like maintaining other jets, upgrades and likewise, same with Dassault or any other OEM. Dassault having capacity to make 24 doesn't really mean anything, practically they can make 12-15/year, which includes jets for their Air force and Navy also.

 

[Akshat]

HAL also has capacity to make 24, but it doesn't mean that they can make 24, as some of the bays are used for other projects, like maintaining other jets, upgrades and likewise, same with Dassault or any other OEM. Dassault having capacity to make 24 doesn't really mean anything, practically they can make 12-15/year, which includes jets for their Air force and Navy also.

But Dassault is making 2/month as per the commitment. That’s the difference between HAL and a private company like Dassault. As per 6/ year for exports, they delivered more than 11 to India itself

 

[Pink Panther]

But Dassault is making 2/month as per the commitment. That’s the difference between HAL and a private company like Dassault. As per 6/ year for exports, they delivered more than 11 to India itself

not all 11 in One Year.