India is likely to go with 4.5 generation Rafale even as the United States of America and Russia have offered their fifth-generation fighters — the F-35 and the Su-57.
New Delhi: The defence ministry may take up this week the Rs.3.25 lakh-crore deal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. As per proposal, most of these jets will be manufactured in India with an indigenous content of around 30 per cent. Some 12-18 aircraft will come in a fly-away condition from France.
If approved this will be the largest defence deal. The final clearance will be given by Cabinet Committee on Security led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India will like to integrate indigenous weapons in these Rafale fighter jets even as source code is likely to remain with France.
India is likely to go with 4.5 generation Rafale even as the United States of America and Russia have offered their fifth-generation fighters — the F-35 and the Su-57.
The move comes when Indian Air Force overall squadron strength is down to a record low of 29 against the sanctioned 42 squadrons. Induction of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A — which were to replace the MiG-21s— has been delayed.
