started · updated
India advances Rafale fighter jet deal and defense ties with France
India is advancing significant defense procurement and cooperation with France, highlighted by a potential deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh indicated that the procurement cycle for these aircraft is likely to conclude by the end of the current financial year.
The Rafale deal is expected to follow a “buy-and-make” model, with Dassault Aviation submitting a bid to assemble the majority of the aircraft in India. This program, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 3.25 lakh crore, aims to establish a second fighter production line in India alongside the indigenous Tejas program. The agreement also includes the integration of Indian-made weapons onto the Rafale platforms.
In a separate development regarding defense interoperability, French Air Defence Deputy Commander Julien Sabene praised India's indigenous Tejas fighter jet during Exercise Tarang Shakti. Sabene, a former Mirage 2000 pilot, noted that the Tejas's design reminded him of the French delta-wing fighter and commended India's growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Entities
Bharat Electronics Limited · Dassault Aviation · Indian Air Force · Julien Sabènè · Rajesh Kumar Singh · Tejas · Thales
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The procurement deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets is expected to conclude by the end of the financial year. tfipost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dassault Aviation has submitted a commercial bid to build the majority of the aircraft in India. tfipost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Rafale procurement programme is estimated to be worth approximately Rs 3.25 lakh crore. tfipost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Rafale deal is structured as a buy-and-make programme with most aircraft assembled in India. tfipost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] French Air Defence Deputy Commander Julien Sabene compared India's indigenous Tejas fighter jet to the French Mirage 2000. newsable.asianetnews.com