Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, France has assured that it is comfortable sharing technology for the Rafale fighter jets, and that integrating Indian weapons onto the jet is part of the deal.
Top French diplomatic sources said on Thursday, “Yes, we are comfortable sharing technology, and ‘Make in India’ will be part of the deal.”
Asked about the integration of Indian weapons onto the jet, the source said, “Integration of local weapons is also a part of the deal.”
France does not see its military ties with India as a ‘customer-provider’ relationship, the source added, saying “very substantive discussions are on at the moment”.
India has sent a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to France for procuring 114 more Rafale jets. An LoR is a formal government-to-government communication used to initiate defence procurement under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework.
The IAF Rafales will be acquired under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, with French plane maker Dassault partnering with an Indian firm. For the deal, India has laid down non-negotiable clauses, including indigenous weapons and data links.
Engine, airframe, and avionics are part of the transfer of technology. The integration of Indian weapons, missiles, and ammunition on all 114 jets is also part of the deal. The plane maker is expected to provide secure data links to allow digital integration of the jets with Indian radars and sensors, sending imagery to ground-based controllers.
In the past few years, avionics, weapons, and missiles on the Rafale have been upgraded since IAF ordered its fleet of 36 in 2015. IAF flies the ‘F3R’ version of the plane, the same as French Air Force. Dassault Aviation has introduced the ‘F-4’ version, an upgrade. India is seeking a mix of the ‘F-4’ version and the upcoming ‘F-5’ version.
The plane maker will also provide transfer of technology (ToT) for making airframes. Its suppliers, like engine maker Safran and avionics provider Thales, will be part of the ToT.
The indigenous content is expected to be between 55% and 60% once ToT for airframes, engines, and avionics is completed.
The upgrade includes a next-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for longer detection range and improved resilience to electronic warfare. It will have a better self-protection system to detect and counter new and emerging threats. Capabilities will include better long-range detection and identification of enemy threats, backed by missiles with longer ranges. The jet will be mated with better satellite links and even have artificial intelligence algorithms to assist the pilot with improved situational awareness and decision-making.
The Rafale fighter jets are part of IAF’s multi-pronged plan to increase its fleet. IAF already flies 36 Rafale jets, while the Navy has ordered 26 of the marine variant of the same jet. Increasing numbers would reduce maintenance costs.
A Rafale flight training and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is operational at the IAF base in Ambala. IAF has the capacity — space, spares, tooling, and trained manpower — to immediately take in two squadrons, about 36–38 planes.
