I don't see any reason why the option for the 2nd tranche cannot run parallel to the MRFA tender. Is there anything in our rule book against such a development?
Furthermore the price negotiations for the 26 nos Rafale M has already commenced. Aren't you aware of it? Why should it take 5-7 yrs which translates to 2031 when we're receiving the TEDBF from 2032 onwards give or take. Rafale M makes sense only if we receive the full complement within 5 yrs for which we have to conclude the agreement & issue the PO within a year else the entire exercise is one in futility.
The French contingent over at Strat Front are also gung ho about establishing a line for assembly at Mihan if we exercise the option for 36-54 nos for the IAF in addition to 26 nos Rafale M.
As far as the argument it's a Naval FA goes, we've already used the Alize in tandem with the IAF in the 1971 war. We're using the Predators & P-8i Poseidons over the Himalayas for ISR / AEW activities.
1) as per October 2023 they may have started price negotiations
The negotiations on pricing and other details are expected to take place after the defence ministry receives a response from the French side, the people familiar with the matter said.
The Indian Air Force bought 36 aircraft in fly-away condition. There is a thinking in the IAF that it should go for at least two more squadrons of the Rafale jets.
www.thehindu.com
1-2 years for that, 1-2 more years of the DAC—>CCS circus then 2-3 years for first deliveries. Again I’ll let you do the maths on that, it’s as good as 2024.
2) again IN numbers mean 0 to IAF fighter strength- surge operations are meaningless, in a full spectrum conflict naval fighters are for what their name suggests otherwise why does the naval air arm exist?
3) whatever some guys on the internet say is meaningless. Eric Tapier said ~2015 that they’d only look to start a Rafale (assembly) line in india for a minimum of ~90 units and given it took the best part of a decade to negotiate for the C295 good luck with that.
4) there’s NO, nada, zilch talks going on in parallel for 36-54 more jets, IAF has said 114 or nothing.
like I said- can we remain in reality and not what we would like to see it is almost 2024 and MRFA RFP is nowhere to be seen, LCA MK.2 funds are only just now hitting ADA and AMCA/engine clearances are all pending.