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Parrikar: Rafale deal will be concluded in June
The Indian government is planning to ink its long-in-the-making purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters from France in June. India’s defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, told India Times that, “There is no reason why it should not be concluded in June. Not much is left. It is in the last phase.”
Comment and Analysis
For some time, the price of the deal was the central sticking point between France and India. However last month, Dassault offered a revised deal that could fit within India’s desired price range; the cost of it was reducing the maintenance support package from ten years to five.
While the deal is as close as it has ever been in terms of being finalized, it seems there are still a number of fairly serious aspects to conclude, such as the French government’s refusal to provide a bank guarantee to back the deal.
Although it is currently ordering two squadrons, it is expected that India will acquire additional Rafales in the coming years. However, Dassualt’s competitors are still hoping to land a portion of the IAF’s fighter modernization roadmap. For example, Lockheed Martin is toying with the idea of partnering with Tata Advanced System’s Limited to offer a domestically built F-16 variant.
In any case, the Indian military can take solace in the fact that they know exactly what they are getting with the Rafale, especially in terms of the valuable offsets (which will feed into India’s private defence industry).
Granted, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Saab are claiming to offer as much if not more, but nothing is certain until it is not only in ink in the contract, but fully approved by the relevant regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Sweden.
10 Comments
by Shershahsuri
Mr.Bilal yesterday it was reported in news that US will try to make India a NATO member. what will be the impact on regional security situation particularly on Pakistan. India has also recently tested Ashvin missile interceptor. What will be impact of this on the region?
by little children
instead of going for F-18 & F-16 or saab, india should order more Rafale jets
rafale is way more expensive than the others, but then we don’t need additional maintenance & logistic, which will in long run be beneficial.
by jigsaww
Hi,
Take it as a simple case of changing geopolitics. It changes every 20 or so years. New alliances form and old ones break or weaken.
Nothing substantial will happen so as to threaten Pakistan overwhelmingly. This is a time when US feels threatened by Chinese more than ever and vice versa. China has clearly stated its goals for future to establish itself as unchallengeable power in Asia and then some, with more than obvious regional foothold, robust economy, and a strategic partnership with certain countries in the region. It’s simply spoiling the dreams of chaudharat of Americans as well as Hindustanis in the region, which is why US needs a stooge to keep China from “overflowing” in the region and Hindustan is the only apparent choice and also apparently willing to do American’s work provided their certain conditions are met: 1) it is given access to cutting edge US/western technology, 2) international support from US for Hindustan in world affairs (hence the ruckus about including Hindustan in MTCR, NSG, and NATO), and 3) help it (Hindustan) isolate and cut relations with Pakistan by any means necessary to eventual breakup/destruction of it as stated objective. Everything you see is happening around these three conditions laid by Hindustanis.
What will happen? Pakistan will respond equally. The more US and Hindustan become closer, the more China and Pakistan will become strategically intertwined. The fates are sealed. American who actually care about US provocative actions (by creating special exceptions for a country like Hindustan) are saying it. Pakistan will explore enhanced relationship with Russia. Establish closer ties with Turkey, Iran, and certain other countries. Pakistan is the natural check to Hindustan. It will always be like this. At a military level, things will level off. Pakistan eventual refuge lies in change in leadership to help boost economy, and turn policy around.
Hindustan’s interceptor test is not a thing to worry about at this time for Pakistan. First off, there are reports of Hindustan faking the test’s success. It just might have never worked. Second off, it will only result in upgradation of counter offensive technology by Pakistan, no matter what dreams Hindustanis have. Faster, better, and more accurate systems will be pursued. Responses will come. Scores will be settled.
The impact will only be more weaponization of region – thanks to Hindustanis, nothing more nothing less, although as Pakistan army put it very precisely, it just might give hindustanis a false sense of pride and security sitting behind shields and political covers.
At the end of the day, every country pursues its interest. That’s what Pakistan will need to do strongly.
by Abdul Rashid
I was hoping to see some of your input on the article covering ACM Sohail Aman’s interview on PAF’s next-generation fighter plans with specific regard to the intended indigenization route. I remember you had previously mentioned this was to be the case and the response by someone was, “don’t make me laugh”. To be honest, at the time I too thought, “Hang on a minute, surely you’re mistaken”.
by jigsaww
Haha, thanks Rashid. I’ll try and do that. To be honest, every time i want to say something, time runs out. I have a problem with migraines. Can’t sit too much in front of screens.
by Abdul Rashid
Thanks. Are you sure it is only the migraines holding you back? I think you might be finding the new moderation rules a little too restrictive for your characteristic style of calling a spade a spade!
by Shershahsuri
Thanks so much
by jigsaww
Welcome.
by jigsaww
No Rashid. I’ve had it for years now.
by jigsaww
@bla bla. I saw you left a message on another thread.
Sorry mate, i don’t use twitter/facebook.