RAFALE SCAM OR DEAL - IS THE GOVERNMENT HIDING SOMETHING ?

HOW ALL THIS BEGAN ?

In 2016 : IAF Chief gave a statement that, India needs 200-250 medium  fighter aircrafts.

India has many aircrafts but they are retiring somewhere from present to 2024.

In 1999 India lost two fighter jets (MiG21) during the Kargil War in 1999. MiG21 got one infamous name - 'Flying coffin'  (Because due to engine failure they fall easily in some village) These MiG21 is failure for India. Their performance are not upto the mark.

In 2000  We see some ray of hope in ' Dassault Mirage aircraft' and it used during Operation Safed Sagar (One of the Kargil's operation). This impressed Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. So, Vajpayee ji decided to talk with Dassault (Company Name) to buy some more aircraft. But Dassault replied they have stopped it's manufacturing as this is now an old model.

Now, Problem with India is - Either they go ahead with MiG21(With which India has Bad Experience) or purchase some other Russian Aircrafts.

Indian Air Force (IAF) raised the requirement for Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) in 2007. This was to replace the aging fleet of MiG aircratfs.
Tenders for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) fighters were issued by India in 2007. 

Under this Tender, There are 6 competitors :

1. French Rafale
2. Russia's MiG-35  [This was out of competition, because of bad experience of MiG21]
3. Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen
4. American Lockheed Martin's F-16 [ This was also with Pakistan - so India not consider this also]
5. Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
6. Euro-fighter Typhoon

Only the Rafale & Typhoon make the cut.

In 2012 - Five years after the Tender (after many testing) - Dassault emerges as lowest Bidder.

However, India and France are unable to decide on a price for the jets.



WHY THERE IS DELAY?

There are so many factors.

When we buy the aircrafts, there are so many things which we need to agreed like:

• Weapons used in aircrafts
• Who will provide its maintenance.
• There was election in 2014 Both In India and France (Hence Delay) 

In 2016 : India signed an Inter-governmental agreement with France dubbed as "Rafale Deal" - In which India bought 36 off-the-shell Dassault Rafale twin engine fighters for a price estimated to be Rs 58,000 crore

Earlier UPA government Tender was MMRCA (In which India is dealing directly with Dassault Company) and NDA govt scrap this Tender and create new Tender and agreement directly executed with French Government.

THE ISSUE

The UPA government had negotiated a price of Rs 54,000 crore for 126 Rafale Aircrafts. (Including Transfer of Technology(ToT)

While, Current Government agreed to Rs 58,000 crore for just 36 Rafale Aircarfts without ToT.

In MMRCA Deal: (By UPA Government) - Price quoted does not include below

• How much pay for Maintenance charges
• What all weapons you want to put
• Do you want to do any modification as per your Country.
• Also, 54000 Crore Price is not official

WHY RELIANCE?

Since Dassault is no longer obliged to share technology with HAL and Reliance Defence Ltd has emerged as a key alliance player, the congress alleges it is a move to "promote the interests of one Industrial group".

DEAL DIFFERENCE UPA & NDA

UPA:

In Earlier Deal During UPA Time: 126 (18(Directly Purchased)  - full assembled  +108(Only Parts and will get assembled in India by HAL)

Initial bid only included the price of the initial 18 aircraft licensing fees 

and the supply of the parts of required to assemble the remaining 108 in India.

It excludes weapons, maintenance and the costs HAL(Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) would incur for local assembly.

NDA:

The price which NDA government negotiated if far more comprehensive : It includes 36 fully assembled Rafale aircraft as well as personnel training , India specific subsystems, supporting Infrastructure and a five-year service agreement.

So, It appears more expensive on a "per-plane" basis 

So, We can't say that Rafale Deal is costly for India in NDA time. as UPA pricing is always in middle that is not finalize and also excludes many other costs as mentioned above.

There are mainly two reasons why these deals are a closely guarded secret:

• If we disclose it's internal details - then our rival countries know about the details of advanced fighter planes.
  
• Commercial Deals (like discounts and other packages) never disclose as its reduce the bargaining power via other customers. (Like Qatar and Egypt buy these in higher price than India)

If these planes Built in India by HAL - Will this cost get reduce? 

Answer is NO. Not Every thing in India will be cheaper, as for fighter aircrafts we need skilled workforce.

Thought, for Make in India, it will be moral boasts. But It will be most costlier.

Advantage of Rafale:

Air refueling pipe.

Spectra System (To confuse the radar system)

Nuclear Capable also.

Rafale is 4th Generation aircraft.

Above Information is as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this. For Other Topics visit - http://learn2ogether.blogspot.com