Rafale

India’s deal with France to buy Rafale combat aircraft is in the final stages, as certain issues that rose between the two countries have ‘almost been sorted out’.

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the country is planning to upgrade the inventory of the Indian Air Force with focus on domestic manufacturing.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Built by Dassault Aviation, Rafale is a twin-jet combat aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short and long-range missions, including ground and sea attacks, reconnaissance, high-accuracy strikes and nuclear strike deterrence.

France will supply 36 Rafale planes to India under a deal agreed in April during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the European country.

Parrikar told PTI: "As of now we are talking about 36 (planes).

See Also:

"I am not saying that it means we are thinking of buying more, for our upgrade of the air force, we are preparing a roadmap.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"Once that roadmap is finalised and approved by the government, then we will go ahead as per the roadmap."

"I am not saying that it means we are thinking of buying more, for our upgrade of the air force, we are preparing a roadmap."

India was originally expected to buy 126 Rafale aircraft.

Last week, France’s Safran has dropped plans to collaborate with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics to make engine parts for the aircraft, after the country scaled down its requirement.

Safran India CEO Stephane Lauret told Bloomberg: "The plan we’re supposed to do in Bangalore, we won’t do it for this 36 aircraft deal.

"But we’ll continue to have other business with them. We have other projects with Hindustan Aeronautics."

Image: A Rafale plane. Photo: courtesy of Pritishp333.