The Indian Navy is expected to receive Rafale fighter jets from the French company Dassault Aviation in the near future. Though no official announcement has been made by the government, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit India in early March, during which the deal for deck-based fighter jets is expected to be announced.
The French President’s bilateral visit comes on top of his planned visit later this year for the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi in September.
Rafale-M for Indian Navy
If this is ordered for the Indian Navy, it will be deployed on the most recent Indian Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant, which was commissioned last year. Other armies around the world, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, and Greece, use this aircraft.
The Rafale M is a fourth-generation fighter with a delta wing and twin engines. Because of its semi-stealth capabilities, this fighter jet can also launch nuclear attacks; however, it is highly unlikely that the US will grant permission for its F-18 Super Hornet to carry out such operations. Furthermore, “India will lose strategic autonomy if it purchases aircraft from the United States,” explained an officer who requested anonymity.
Also read: Everything You Need To Know About Rafale Fighter Jet
Requisites of the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is looking to upgrade its fighter fleet, which is currently comprised of problematic Russian-made MiG-29Ks. The Navy intends to decommission 43 Russian MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft from its fleet in the near future.
The Indian Navy evaluated the Rafale-M, manufactured by the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, as well as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, manufactured by the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing, in 2022.
Following the completion of the tests, the Navy delivered an extensive report to the Ministry of Defense late last year. According to the study’s findings, the Rafale-M is the aircraft best suited to meet the Indian Navy’s operational requirements. The Rafale M and the American-made F/A-18 Super Hornet were extensively tested at INS Hansa, a naval base in Goa, in 2022.
Also read: Difference Between IAF Rafale VS IAF Sukhoi 30
The Navy’s preference for the Marine Version
If the Indian Navy purchases the fighter’s marine variant, spare parts and maintenance will be shared by the two services. The IAF currently employs two squadrons of the Rafale. More than 85% of Rafale’s components will be shared across the maritime and IAF versions. An Indian enterprise may eventually overhaul both sorts.
According to reports, the French government is willing to remove some of its Rafale M fighter fighters off the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and give them to India. This would give Indian carrier pilots time to start training and create operating procedures before the Rafale Ms that are scheduled to be supplied arrive.
Despite the fact that France has historically provided India with military assistance during times of conflict, France has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to pressure from the US. France has an advantage over other nations in terms of dependability because it has never sanctioned India in its history. On the other side, the US has historically imposed sanctions on India.
Weapon Purchasing and Geo-politics
The US has limited the use of its currency and shipping for business with Russia, whilst France has taken a more mature attitude toward Russia in the crisis in Ukraine. On the other side, France has adopted a more accommodative stance. This has proven to be a problem for the vast majority of countries, who do not want to get engaged in the fight. This is the strategic justification for why buying a few American planes for Indian aircraft carriers is a bad idea.
New Delhi will take into account India’s rapidly developing defense ties with France, which also has interests in the Indian Ocean when choosing whether or not to purchase fighters. France has had a naval presence in the area for a very long time.
26 deck-based fighters will be purchased by the Indian Navy under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) (Government-to-Government) process. And the aircraft will be purchased based on the operating needs and requirements of the navy, including whether twin engines are required or only one, as well as the weight.
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