Rafale fighter jets | Business Upturn

India to purchase 26 Rafale and 3 Scorpene submarines from France

United News of India (UNI) — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:09:24 +0000

New Delhi, July 13 : The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved the proposal for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft and three additional Scorpene submarines from France.

The project was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to France today (July13).

The Defence Ministry in a statement said it will boost Indian Navy’s operational capabilities.

“The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA)” said the Ministry in a Statement.

India has already procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force.

The DAC’s approval to the projects came around a week after they were cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB).

Over the price and other terms of purchase, the Ministry said, “They will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries”.

“Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations” it said.

The three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category, will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The Ministry said it will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

“The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector”, the statement said.

In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases.

“It will help in achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing” the Defence Ministry said.

Rafale induction ceremony cost exchequer over ₹41 lakh says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Devanshu Singla — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:34:12 +0000

On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha said the induction ceremony of the first five Rafale jets at the Ambala Air Force base on September 10 the last cost the exchequer a little over of ₹41 lakh including ₹9.18 lakh GST.

“The first five Rafale aircraft of IAF were formally inducted into IAF on September 10. The arrangements for this event were made mostly through local resources of IAF. The total expenditure on the event was ₹41.32 lakh including ₹9.18 lakh of GST,” he said.

Singh said all-new variant of aircraft are traditionally inducted into the Indian Air Force through a “befitting ceremony”

French Defence Minister Florence Parly and the top echelon of the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the aircraft also attended the Rafale induction ceremony.

The first batch of the five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29. India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of ₹59,000 crore.

The second batch of three Rafale jets arrived in India on November 3 while the third batch of another three jets joined the IAF on January 27.

The fleet has been carrying out sorties in eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a standoff for the last nine months.

The first squadron of the Rafale jets is stationed at the Ambala airbase while the second one will be based at the Hasimara base in West Bengal.

Rafale induction ceremony on September 10 at Ambala

Pravin Suryawanshi — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 08:31:03 +0000

The formal induction ceremony of the Rafale fighter jets will be held at the Ambala Air Force Station on September 10, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said here on Monday.

The aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the ‘Golden Arrows’.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Florence Parly will be present for the induction ceremony, an official source said.

The second batch of four Rafale jets is likely to arrive in October, another source said.

On July 29, five Rafale jets, three single-seat, and two twin-seater trainers landed at the Ambala airbase, the home base of the No. 17 Golden Arrows squadron.

These are part of the €7.87-billion Inter-Governmental Agreement with France for 36 jets in fly-away condition signed in September 2016.

China claims Rafale jets inferior to their Chengdu J-20 aircrafts

Akul Puri — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:11:56 +0000

India welcomed the roaring Rafale jets on Wednesday which touched ground at the Air Force Fleet in Ambala. With India strengthening the capacity of its forces, the roar of the jets struck the ear of the neighbors and their reactions started pooling in.

China, on Friday, claimed that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Chengdu J-20 to be superior to the Rafale jets as a fifth generation stealth fighter. It is imperative to note that as against this flight, the Rafale jets are a 4.5 generation fighter jets.

The Chinese expert, making this claim, quoted that the Rafale jets are in fact a whole generation below the Chinese PLA’s J-20 fighter. They also stated that “Rafale is only a third-plus generation fighter jet and does not stand much of a chance against a stealth, fourth generation one like the J-20”.

The Chinese military expert, Zhang Xuefeng, claimed the difference in superiority in an article for the Global Times. While comparing the birds of both the countries, the expert also stated that both these jets are not extensive different and thus “does not yield a significant qualitative change”.

“Thanks to its AESA radar, advanced weapons and limited stealth technologies, the Rafale is comparable to other third plus generation fighter jets used by other countries. But, it will find it very difficult to confront a stealth-capable fourth generation fighter jet”, quoted the Global Times article.

However, ZeeNews reported that the former IAF Air Force Marshal Chief, BS Dhanoa, had also stated that the Rafale jet “is a game-changer and the Chinese J-20 does not even come close”.

It is also reported that Dhanoa was a key player in the successful completion of the Rafale deal and his initials ‘BS’ are used as part of the tail number on the jets.

India has so far just received the first batch of the Rafale jets which consisted of five fighter jets. The complete delivery is promised by the French government by the end of March 2021.

Iran’s military exercise at Al Dhafra airbase has Indian Rafales halted

Akul Puri — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 05:46:21 +0000

Iran’s military exercise at Al-Dhafra airbase has Indian Rafales halted. An alert was sounded on Tuesday at the United Arab Emirates’ Al Dhafra airbase at the incoming of three Iranian missiles. In a military exercise, Iran launched three missiles towards the territory, which landed near the base, in the sea.

The missiles was reportedly heading in the direction of the airbase where US and French troops are stationed. The CNN Journalist, Barbara Starr, tweeted last night reporting the “Iranian missiles possibly headed that way”. She also stated that the personnel were asked to take cover however, no such measure was needed later.

CNN has learned US bases at Al Udeid and Al Dhafra went on alert this am when intel indicators showed an Iranian missile possibly headed that way. Personnel told to take cover for several minutes. No missile struck, US officials say they took prudent precautionary measures

— Barbara Starr (@bstarrreports) July 28, 2020

It is imperative to note that Al-Dhafra is the very base where the Indian Air Force’s first batch of Rafale jets halted for an overnight layover, before leaving for Ambala, Haryana. The jets landed at the base on Tuesday after completing the first leg of their journey from France to UAE.

The BBC journalist Nafiseh Kohnavard tweeted about the incident last night. She quoted “US Navy slams Iran’s maneuver in Persian Gulf calling it irresponsible and reckless”.

#US Navy slams #Iran’s manoeuvre in Persian Gulf calling it 'irresponsible and reckless'

There were reports last night that troops in Al Dafra AFB, UAE, were asked to stay in bunkers, due to #IRGC’s drill and missile tests.

— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) July 28, 2020

Moreover, The news agency WION reports that the exercise was conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. “It staged a mock attack on a fake aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz”, stated the report.

The Spokeswoman of the US Navy’s fifth fleet, Commander Rebecca Rebarich. Asserted that the US Navy is “always watchful of this type of irresponsible and reckless behavior by Iran. However, in the vicinity of busy International waterways”.

The Rafale jets have reportedly departed from the UAE’s airbase this morning. And are currently on their way to Ambala, Haryana. A curfew has already been imposed in the city. And the neighboring villages and photography has been strictly prohibited. So as to ensure a safe and sound landing of Indian Air Force’s Golden Arrows.

“Shots from 30,000 feet”, Indian embassy in France posts pictures of Rafale jets getting re-fueled mid air

Akul Puri — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:59:07 +0000

With an incredible amount of enthusiasm, India is all set to welcoming aboard the five Rafale fighter jets which took off from France on Monday and are scheduled to arrive in India on Wednesday. The jets were scheduled to have a lay over in the UAE and the re-fueling was supposed to be done mid air.

While the jets are en route, the Indian Air Force shares a collection of shots taken of the jets while getting re-fueled in the air. The Indian Embassy in France shared some breathtaking pictures, on Twitter, of the jets getting refueled, mid-air.

Few shots from 30,000 feet! Mid air refuelling of #RafaleJets on their way to #India @IAF_MCC @French_Gov @FranceinIndia @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @DDNewslive @ANI @DefenceMinIndia @Armee_de_lair @JawedAshraf5 pic.twitter.com/VE7lJUcZe7

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 28, 2020

The jets had safely landed today at Al-Dhafra, post a seven-hour long flight from France, on Monday evening.

An extensive support has been offered by the government of France which also included re-fueling of the jets mid-way. The refueling between France to Al-Dhafra was supported by the French Air Force’s Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft.

From Al-Dafrah to Ambala, the Aerial refueling would be done by the Indian Air Force’s Russian Ilyushin-78 refuellers, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The jets took off from France on Monday. They are being driven by trained pilots of the Indian Air Force. To commemorate this occasion, the Indian Ambassador, Jawed Ashraf, was present at the sight. He also took charge of spearheading the execution of the first leg of the operation.

Bon Voyage: Indian Ambassador to #France interacts with the Indian pilots of the Rafale. Congratulates and wishes them a safe flight to India with a single hop. #ResurgentIndia #NewIndia #Rafale @IAF_MCC @MeaIndia @rajnathsingh @Dassault_OnAir @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/jk3IWD9tYU

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 27, 2020

The Indian Embassy in France shared a video on Twitter, of a rafale jet. The embassy termed it “beauty and beast” while appreciating the splendid aviation masterpiece.

"Beauty and the Beast"- #Rafale Fighter Aircraft. Ready to take off @MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @gouvernementFR @Dassault_OnAir @rajnathsingh @DefenceMinIndia @DDNewslive @ANI @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/TTAi6DHun7

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 27, 2020

With the first batch of jets arriving tomorrow at Ambala’s Indian Air Force Fleet, Section 144 has been imposed in the city and the four villages close to the airbase. Gathering on roods and photography has also been prohibited during their arrival, said Munish Sehgal, DSP Traffic, Ambala.

First batch of Rafale fighter jets leave for India, “Beauty and Beast” says Indian Ambassador

Akul Puri — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:02:56 +0000

The first batch of Rafale jets have took off from France and would be arriving to India on Wednesday. The first batch, which consists of five jets, will be inducted into the Indian Air Force’s fleet in Ambala, Haryana.

Covering a distance of 7000 km the aircraft would be flying from France to India, with air-to-air refueling, while making a stop at the UAE. These Rafale jets have been built by the French aviation firm Dassault and are the first batch out of the total 36 bought by the Indian government. The training on aircraft and weapons system has also been provided by the company to the Indian Air Force pilots.

The deal was signed in the year 2016 and has been much awaited by the Indian government. A total of 36 Rafale jets were purchased as a part of the deal and this inter-governmental deal costed Rs. 59,000 crore, as reported by NDTV.

The Indian embassy in France made a statement expressing the enthusiasm between both the countries. The statement announced the status of the deal currently and gave a timeline for it to be completed. “Delivery of ten aircrafts has been completed on schedule. Five will stay back in France for training Mission. The delivery of all 36 aircrafts would be completed on schedule by the end of 2021”, said the embassy, as reported by NDTV.

Bon Voyage: Indian Ambassador to #France interacts with the Indian pilots of the Rafale. Congratulates and wishes them a safe flight to India with a single hop. #ResurgentIndia #NewIndia #Rafale @IAF_MCC @MeaIndia @rajnathsingh @Dassault_OnAir @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/jk3IWD9tYU

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 27, 2020

The Indian Ambassador, Jawed Ashraf, was in France today to spearhead the execution of the take off of the jets. “The five rafale jets are extremely swift, versatile and very deadly aircraft. They’re both beauty and beast”, he said in a statement. In his statement further, he also thanked Dassault, French government and French Air Force, for the great amount of support that they provided.

The Indian Embassy in France also shared a video of the aircraft on Twitter.

"Beauty and the Beast"- #Rafale Fighter Aircraft. Ready to take off @MEAIndia @JawedAshraf5 @gouvernementFR @Dassault_OnAir @rajnathsingh @DefenceMinIndia @DDNewslive @ANI @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/TTAi6DHun7

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 27, 2020

As per the original delivery schedule, four jets were to be delivered in the first batch. However, on a special request by the Indian Air Force to fast track the delivery, the French government increased the batch to five jets. The Indian Embassy in France has also assured that the delivery would be completed by the end of 2021.