France has offered to supply—on fast track—40 of the new generation Rafale as an interim solution to arrest the rapid erosion in combat potential.

Excruciatingly tedious pace adopted in the acquisition of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) has come as a dampener for the Indian Air Force (IAF) faced with a steadily dwindling combat fleet. Impeded by innumerable delays and dithering, the deal finally gained some momentum in this its seventh year with the six contenders submitting their responses to the RFP well within the April 28 deadline. The race now effectively enters the next stage of technical and commercial evaluation. From the pace at which the process has moved thus far, it is difficult to estimate the time frame in which the IAF could have the MMRCA in operational service.

Quite au fait with the tardy decision-making process of the Indian government, Dassault, a long time partner with the IAF, has sprung a rather pleasant surprise, offering to supply—on fast track—40 of the new generation omnirole combat aircraft, the Rafale, as an interim solution to arrest the rapid erosion in combat potential. It is understood that India baulked at responding to this offer the last time it was made.

The aircraft on offer may have the French equivalent of the AESA radar which is currently under development. Besides, the Rafale is clearly a generation ahead of the two aircraft of US origin in the race for the contract— Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon. Although not explicitly stated, it would be reasonable to assume that the French offer is independent of the ongoing $10-billion (Rs 40,000 crore) MMRCA programme for which Dassault is one of the six contenders. But it can well serve as a stepping stone. Whether the Indian establishment is equipped to handle the dynamics of the new situation in the wake of the French offer at this juncture, is difficult to state with any degree of certainty.