Question : Shortage of Fighter Aircraft

(a) whether the Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing shortage of fighter aircraft;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the steps being taken by the Government for manufacturing fighter aircraft indigenously as well as to procure from various countries to meet the operational requirements of the IAF in the coming years;

(d) whether the Government has finalized the deals relating to purchase of Rafale fighter jets; and

(e) if so, the details and the present status thereof along with its estimated cost, date of operationalisation and delivery thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) to (e): The requirement of fighter aircraft is periodically reviewed to ensure that the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are met. The IAF is in the process of inducting additional Su-30 MKI aircraft manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is manufactured indigenously by HAL. These would augment the operational strength of the IAF. Further, as per the India-France Joint Statement issued by the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit to France, Government of India conveyed to the Government of France that in view of the critical operational necessity for Multirole Combat Aircraft for IAF, Government of India would like to acquire (36) Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible. The two leaders agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement for supply of the aircraft on terms that would be better than conveyed by Dassault Aviation as part of a separate process underway, the delivery would be in time-frame that would be compatible with the operational requirement of IAF; and that the aircraft and associated systems and weapons would be delivered on the same configuration as had been tested and approved by Indian Air Force, and with a longer maintenance responsibility by France.

A Negotiating Team has been constituted to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement of 36 Rafale jets and recommend a draft agreement. The meetings of the Indian Negotiating team with the French side have commenced.


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