Indian has finally signed Euro 7:87 billion deal to deliver 36 Rafael fighters to IAF that was under discussion over 16 years. These fighter planes were once described inferior to American F16 and British Tornados jointly developed by Britain, Germany and EU nations. The latest version of Rafael includes many improvements, innovations and latest technology with significant Indian input. French promise of technology transfer will help India to manufacture even more advanced fighters locally, thus making India self-sufficient and a potent force for in arms industry, boosting export to friendly countries.
India has one eye on China who has far superior and better equipped fighting force than India who needs $100 billion investment and technical support from West, namely from America, Britain, France and Israel, especially when India, Russia relations are in the doldrums. This is indeed an expensive deal, each fighter costing Rs 700 crore. But India needs these planes urgently, as Russian Migs are old, outdated and considered “Flying Coffins” due to high casualty rate and no match to Pakistan’s American supplied F16, only Indian pilots’ skill, training and dedication gives India temporary edge over Pakistan. This could give India a long term security and arm industry that could be an envy of the world.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
