Dassault's Landmark Production Deal With Tata: What It Could Mean For IAF
New Delhi:
The landmark production transfer agreements announced by Dassault Aviation, which manufactures the Rafale fighter, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) may be a key first step towards meeting a future Indian Air Force requirement for 114 multi-role fighters.
While the Defence Ministry continues to diligently follow procedure as it conducts the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme for 114 fighters for the IAF, there is a clear mismatch between the immediate requirements of the IAF and the pace at which international fighter-jet manufacturers can deliver on any potential Indian order.
Even if an order were placed today, it would likely take at least five years for the first deliveries to start entering the Indian Air Force given the existing pace of manufacture of the fighter aircraft which are in the fray to win the gigantic IAF order which could be worth upwards of $25 billion at present rates.
In addition to the Rafale, which it already operates, the IAF is also considering the Swedish Gripen-E, the Lockheed-Martin manufactured F-21 (an advanced variant of the F-16), the Boeing F-18EX Eagle II, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Russian Sukhoi 35 and the Boeing F/A-18 E/F.
This is where the Dassault-TASL deal can be a game-changer. In a statement, the two partners have said the four production transfer agreements mark "a significant step towards strengthening the country's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains." The investment in the project marks "a significant investment in India's aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing."
The partnership becomes key since the Rafale, which has found favour among a host of air forces around the world, is already under severe manufacturing strain. There is a present backlog of approximately 220 Rafale fighters which are already on order. This includes 164 export orders from Indonesia, Serbia, the UAE and from the Indian Navy, which has recently placed an order for 26 jets to be embarked on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
At its present rate of manufacture, Dassault hopes to deliver 25 Rafales this year, that's up from 21 which were delivered in 2024. At its current rate of production, the backlog of Rafale jets could take between seven to ten years to clear, contingent of a significant ramping up of production. The Indian Navy, though, hopes to receive its first Rafale-M jet in mid-2028 with deliveries being completed by 2030, as per a specific arrangement.
The Dassault-TASL agreement is expected to have a significant bearing, not just on potential Indian orders but also international requirements.
Under the scope of the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage and the front section.
The first fuselage segments will roll off the Hyderabad manufacturing line in 2028. The goal is to deliver two complete fuselages per month. The final assembly of the Rafale take place at Dassault's production facility in Merignac, near Bordeaux in France.
The Indian Air Force began the process to acquire 114 advanced fighter jets to fix its depleting squadron strength with a Request for Information (RFP) from international manufacturers in 2018. Seven years later, there has been no closure on the deal, despite repeated efforts from consecutive Air Force Chiefs to get the deal done.
While the IAF is authorised to operate 42 squadrons (18 aircraft each), it presently operates about 31 squadrons, not enough to meet its operational requirements to defend airspace along the Pakistani and Chinese frontiers. In 2015, India scrapped its 2007 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender for 126 jets, instead acquiring just 36 Rafales from France in a $7.8 billion government-government deal signed in 2016.
Pilots of the Indian Air Force whom NDTV have spoken to vouch for the Rafale fighter stating that its sensor-integration, cockpit interface and advanced weapons make it a game-changer.
The IAF operates two squadrons of Rafales - based out of Ambala (Punjab) and Hasimara (West Bengal). Rafales deployed during Op Sindoor, are believed to have launched the SCALP air-launched cruise missile, a stealthy precision strike weapon known for its accuracy in striking targets.
In April this year, the Indian Navy signed a deal worth approximately $7.6 billion to acquire 26 Rafale fighters to operate off the decks of its carriers. The fighter picked by the Navy in preference over Boeing's F/A-18 E/F which was also extensively tested.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Operation Sindhu: India's special flight brings back 280 more Indians from Iran; govt commits to help Nepal, Sri Lanka
With the tensions escalating in the Middle East following the conflict between Israel and Iran, a special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back over 280 Indian nationals on Sunday. According to the details, the Mahan Air flight (W50071A), carrying mostly students and pilgrims, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Over 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir were among the passengers, while others were pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for Ziarat. After the passengers stepped off the aircraft, many of them held Indian flags and expressed relief and gratitude for the safe return. Earlier on Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid the rising tensions between Tehran and Israel. Also on Friday, two Mahan Air flights carrying 1,000 Indian students, including 500 Kashmiris, from Iran's Mashhad landed in Delhi. A third flight also landed on Saturday. In a diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday stated that it will help evacuating the Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from Iran. After both nations requested India's help in evacuating their citizens, the Indian Embassy agreed to assist Nepal and Sri Lanka. The embassy also released emergency helpline numbers for Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stuck in Iran. 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,' Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X. It added, 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers. +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109' These strikes were targeted at uranium enrichment plants at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Confirming the attacks chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, US Gen Dan Caine, briefed the press stating Operation Midnight Hammer involved 125 US military aircraft including seven B-2 stealth bombers. Following the US strikes, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calls the US attack on their uclear sites 'unforgivable' and said Iran has 'to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence'.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel-Iran conflict: PIB debunks claims of US using Indian airspace for Iran strikes; calls them ‘fake'
NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday dismissed social media rumours suggesting that the United States used Indian airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran during 'Operation Midnight Hammer. ' The government agency categorically stated that these claims are false. 'Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer,' PIB said in an official statement. The clarification comes in the wake of multiple online posts alleging that India facilitated the US strikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. India has maintained a cautious stance in the conflict and has not offered its airspace for any military operations related to the ongoing confrontation between the US, Iran, and Israel.
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
INS Tamal, India's last imported warship, to be commissioned on July 1
The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1 at Kaliningrad in Russia. This will be the last warship of Indian Navy to have been built outside India and the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh in the presence of several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials. INS Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, in line with the Government of India's impetus on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives. India, as part of the broader contract for Tushil class, is also building two similar frigates called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. By the conclusion of this series of ships, Indian Navy will be operating 10ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes. The ship has 26 percent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land. The vessel has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors. The crew, comprising of over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in Russia. INS Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors. The 125m long, 3900-ton warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship's new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics. The number of Made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33. Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command.
