A report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has found that India is the largest imported of arms in the World. Despite rising threats, and a ‘Make in India’ program to encourage local arms production, India’s domestic defence sector has been unable to meet New Delhi’s growing requirements
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The $14 billion Indian defence boost
Defying the US, India in this month inked the $5 billion acquisition of S400 systems from Russia This move of India to acquire the S-400, which has the ability to track multiple incoming targets, including aircraft, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, up to 400km in distance and 30km in altitude, can attract sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Caatsa) passed by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia. This has to been seen in the context of the acquisition of 36 Rafale systems from Dassault Aviation based out of France for $7.8 billion. The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 45 fighter squadrons. However, the IAF is currently operating only 35 squadrons, which includes 11 squadrons of legacy aircraft like MiG-21 M/Bis/Bison and MiG-27. These 11 squadrons are due for retirement between 2018 and 2022. In the same period, the IAF is projected to add only six to seven squadrons, resulting in a major shortage in squadron strength. ...
Rafale Deal Decodified
The need for new aircraft by IAF was first felt in 2001 when IAF requested for upgrades to MIRAGE 2000, but since France was stopping the production line, the plan could not be met. Further, the MMRCA plan was initiated in 2004 with RFI for 126 aircraft and RFP launched in 2007 for the same. The initial estimate was provided in the range of $10.2 billion at 2007 exchange rate in which 18 aircraft were to be in fly-away condition and rest 108 were to be assembled by HAL. After the evaluation of technical bids, only 2 manufactures remained namely Dassault Rafale and Typhoon Eurofighter which after evaluation of total costs Dassault Rafale was selected as the winner. However, Dassault and Indian Government could not agree on pricing issues due to GoI instance that it takes responsibility for quality standards of Rafale made by HAL and also stick to the delivery schedule with which Dassault was not at all comfortable of doing so due to operational constraints of HAL. Meanwhile, the initi...
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