With the Rafale deal sealed, Astra integration is set to become a key component of India’s future air combat loadout. Missile likely to equip all IAF fighters, barring Mirage 2000.
India also developing 87 Twin Engine Deck Based Fighters. Indian Navy initially sought 145, based on three-carrier force plan, but govt advised planning based on two-aircraft carrier force.
3 new Scorpène submarines are being built by Mazagon Dock Shipyard in partnership with France's Naval Group. Acquisition of Rafale M aircraft is under Inter-Governmental Agreement.
French team will include officials from defence ministry & industry including original equipment manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Thales for negotiation Thursday.
India had put in a request for 26 Rafale Marine fight jets for aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Last year, Navy had shortlisted the Rafale-M over American fighter F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Eric Trappier to attend senior level meetings Monday, Tuesday. Govt-to-govt talks on for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for Navy — 22 single-seat Rafale M & four trainer aircraft.
Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council cleared proposals for procurement of the fighter aircraft and submarines just after PM left for his official visit to France, it is learnt.
The marine version of the French fighter jet performed a ski-jump —a crucial take-off capability — to demonstrate its ability to operate from Indian aircraft carriers.
For an industry globally classified as hazardous, protections such as health insurance and a provident fund for workers are necessities. In Sivakasi, they remain elusive.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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