From Safran to Rafale: How India's Defence Deals Are Powering a New 'Atmanirbhar' Era

Two rounds of clearances remain before the multi-billion dollar "aircraft engine case," reach the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, probably by the end of the year. The in-principle decision for collaboration with Safran, the French engine manufacturers, for an engine for an Indian fighter plane has already been taken, but "intra-defence ministry and inter-ministerial clearances are necessary," before it gets to the CCS.While the project has been cleared during a meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh where officials of the ministry, the Indian Air Force and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were present, the "paperwork" has to be done, sources said, which is why it is with the IAF.

Once the IAF's go-ahead is obtained, it being the end user, inter-ministerial clearances will be necessary. The finance ministry and the National Security Council Secretariat, headed by national security advisor Ajit Doval will have to look at it. This is a Rs 20,000 crore+ project and has "strategic implications," and CCS clearance is necessary. Among the contenders for the joint development of an engine with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment and the DRDO were Rolls Royce, the British manufacturers and GE, an American firm. The Russians had expressed some initial interest but eventually the government decided on the French.

Fighter deal

Meanwhile, work on the "possible indigenisation of the Rafale" to the extent of 50 percent or more, has begun. The IAF had sent a Statement of Case for the purchase of 114 Rafales (roughly 6 squadrons), but the defence ministry had said it was "incomplete" as more was necessary about the quantum of indigenisation involved. Importantly, highly placed sources said that Dassault, the manufactuers of the Rafale, will naturally have to agree and serious negotiations will be required. The defence ministry had added that cursory 10-15 percent indigenisation in the age of atmanirbharata would not be adequate and this was the opportunity for a greater Make in India effort. This could mean setting up facilities in India and including Indian made equipment, including sensors, in the Rafale aircraft.