Indian Air Force Chief drops subtle hints on procurement of additional Rafale jets

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhauria on Monday did t rule out procurement of more Rafale jets, and said induction of French-me multi-role aircraft has given Indian Air Force an operational edge to strike "deep and hard". Asked wher Indian Air Force was keen on having at least two more squrons of Rafale jets, RKS Bhauria said it is a complex subject and that "various options" are being deliberated upon based on future requirement of force. " entire subject is under discussion and debate," Chief of Air Staff said at a press conference.

In April last year, IAF issued an RFI (request for information) or initial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around USD 18 billion, which is billed as one of world's biggest military procurements in recent years. top contenders for deal include Lockheed's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft MiG 35 and Saab's Gripen. India currently owns 10 Rajafe jets, and by end of 2021, it will receive a total of 36 from France based on deal.

' entire subject is under discussion'

"Wher we go in for more Rafale or MRFA, it will be an open competition... current status is that we have received all RFIs (for MRFA programme). All se issues are on table w in terms of taking a final call...re are various issues that need to be considered," he said.

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first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.  Chief of Air Staff also cited budget constraints as one of factors in taking any decision (regarding procurement). Army chief said IAF would get 3-4 Rafales after every 2-3 months till supply of entire fleet of 36 is completed. Chief of Air Staff also said government is concentrating on procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas (Mark 1A), 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) and having upgred versions of LCA besides focusing on indigeus development of ambitious vanced medium combat aircraft.

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