Rafales will be serving in IAF for the next 25 years minimum. So chance of obsolescence is far.
To avoid confusion, I am sticking my guns to Doordarshan and Pressi Information Bureau.
I suggest you guys do the same. Most private channels and print tend to create stories out of thin air to increase their TRP as is widel evident these days.
Hence the PM's instruction to all fellow senior ministers to give interviews ONLY to DD or PTI. That's it. Other news channels will have to source official comments from these people.
No need to get confused here . Long story short .
MMRCA cancelled due to HAL manpower saga which increased the price
G2G deal for 36 already agreed by both . Now since we have given more than what french asked for . We expect the same from the French . Not more but rather do what they been asking for very long time. Which is to partner with reliance to assemble and manufacturing 30-50 % offset clauses . In addition we have asked them to reduce the price since the new assembly line will be fully dedicated to this purpose and with sufficient amount from French (30+% offset ) + Investment from Reliance or L&T or Both ( looks like both will share)
So by that time induct some 5/6 squadrons of tejas mk1 But with improvements . As per our DM own words .
So may be additional 90+ rafale is on the card so the french will be more than happy to go for it . As their supply line will be busy for the next 4/5 years until they develop infrastructure to produce 30 per year . Right now 12 per years . 36+ 36 Egypt orders + their own 60+ .
100 Tejas MK1 + 126 Rafale to replace Mig21 and Mig27 in the next 6-9 years and so on .
DM stressed it's many interview that this 36 rafale is of strategic importance ( Nuclear deep strike missions probably) And so there should be G2G instead of these whole MMRCA SAGA which is time consuming .
Since French primer Hollande expressed his thank full for our generous orders for 36 and giving more than what they asked . Now he is willing to make some compromise so that Modi face can be saved in India with Make in India initiatives . More over he is also willing to manufacture some parts of current 36 jets in India with private partnership . In a way repaying the favour to our PM .
So what is the twist might be ? Overall it's very positive on more made in India rafale . If by chance if they don't agree for this, then ManPar has different plans in place . Which is to go for another Single Engine Fighters along with Tejas MK1 to completely replace Mig21 fleet under make in India .
So this is what happened till now . Rest all Al speculative without any credible source . Who would let this Cash cow get away ? When all others waiting at Indias door step to grab a pie . French won't leave it . As additional orders means extra money and extra job . Which could be land mark in Hollande political carrier till date.
No need to confuse . DM personally pushing DRDO and HAL to deliver now or to perish ! This is the single been sent . So expect lot of moments on this issue in days to come
Already lots of discussions going on in this thread on this very deal. So far it's been good and things have happened as we speculated . Feel free to join the party guys
Start from last page as it's the thread started when 64 rafale was proposed !!!
India to buy 60-63 Rafales jets off the shelf from France; MMRCA deal off: | Page 112
♥. To test them out on a same bed. And let them roar over the Kargil . The result was very clear and gave birth to this new baby called MMRCA ... Even though the beast Mig29 packed the Punch, delivered the blows right and left while the beauty queen flew like feathers and made more sorties and so crippled enemy's airforce from taking off .A high What a sight when she ruled the skies like a real queen.
