It is possible that work on Indo-French Rafale combat aircraft may start soon!

After a series of serious tests and studies, in 2012, India selected the Dassault Rafale medium multicore combat aircraft as suitable for the Indian Air Force. Almost two years have passed in sorting out various issues on the project.

Originally, the project covered the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets from France and the tender had stipulated that the first set of 18 jets should come in "fly-away" condition. The remaining 108 were to be manufactured by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) in Bengaluru by the Transfer of Technology (ToT).

While the full details of the ToT have not been made public, there seems to be trouble or difference of opinion with the IAF seeking a delivery guarantee for the HAL made aircraft. What percentage of goods will be actually manufactured? What percentage of goods would be supplied by France? All this is yet to be clearly stated.

Sadly, the projected cost has gone up from $10 billion to $30 billion in two years and the project is "still in negotiation." It is possible that the costs will escalate further in the coming years after the initial production starts.

In the meantime, the French Defence Minister, Jean-Yeves Le Drian met his Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, to expedite the ongoing discussions in order to clear the differences on delivery guarantees, price and at the same time expand Indo-French strategic cooperation. Further details may be expected soon.

In the meantime, while speaking at the Eighth L M Katre Memorial lecture, organized jointly by Air Force Association, Karnataka Branch, HAL and the Aeronautical Society of India, Dr Tyagi, Chairman of HAL, stated that more than 70% of the manufacturing needs of the IAF are met by HAL.

He is reported to have further said that, with the help of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), HAL is "contemplating development of aero-engines" and that it is "gearing up to emerge as a technology-driven company".

According to Dr Tyagi, HAL "already has a blue print in place for creation of new divisions, modernisation and expansion of the existing plants, providing increased thrust to indigenous technology development, productivity and quality improvements to meet the challenges."

There is seems to be little doubt that Dr Tyagi has robust plans in place to include the proposed Indo-French manufacturing plans for Rafale fighters over the next 7-10 years. However, a 200% increase in the initial estimated cost of the project, which has now ballooned to $30 billion, is too high and needs to be thoroughly re-examined, as the project still looks to be at the blue-print stage. The story may take another turn when the production starts.

Also, to ensure quality and delivery guarantees, a workable solution needs to be found by mutual discussions, but all these should be done with a clear timeline, and not dragged on for years. Otherwise, there ought to be sufficient provision that any changes made in Rafale fighters, back home in France, need to be automatically incorporated in the Indian version to be made in Bengaluru.

(AK Ramdas has worked with the Engineering Export Promotion Council of the ministry of commerce. He was also associated with various committees of the Council. His international career took him to places like Beirut, Kuwait and Dubai at a time when these were small trading outposts; and later to the US.)