Fighter contract cost talks to begin

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The lowest bidder for MMRCA deal was arrived at after detailed calculations by the ministry of defence in the wake of opening of the financial bids in November last year.

Prior to that, technical trials were carried out by the IAF following which only the Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon were found to have attained the technical requisites that the IAF wanted.

If talks with Dassault fail negotiations will start with L2 (second-lowest bidder) — EADS Eurofighter.

The Rafale, currently the main French Air Force combat aircraft, is known as an 'omnirole' fighter capable of multi-role functions like air-to-ground precision strikes, nuclear strikes, anti-ship attacks, reconnaissance, close air support and air defence.

The aircraft is equipped with smart sensors and rocket-boosted air-to-ground precision guided weapons with laser guidance systems, long-range missiles, anti-ship missiles and air-to-air missiles. Dassault says the Rafale was used with great success in French combat ops in Afghanistan and Libya.

Of the 126 aircraft that will be acquired, 18 will come in 'flyaway' condition in three years, while the remaining 108 will be built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. in the next 7 years with technology transfers. The contract is expected to be signed in the next 5 months.

The 126 fighter aircraft are expected to boost the IAF’s fire-power and the number of their fighter squadrons.

This is the first overseas success of Dassault in its bid to sell the Rafale aircraft to foreign air forces. Dassault sources hailed it as the 'turning point' in the fortunes of the Rafale overseas.

India’s acquisition will lend a significant boost to the Rafale assembly line production amid earlier speculation and fears of a severe financial setback had Dassault had lost the Indian bid.

Rafale reigns

* There were six contenders: Russian MiG-35, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Falcon, Boeing's F-18 Hornet, the Swedish Saab Grippen, Euro-Fighter Typhoon and Rafale.

* On 27 April 2011, the Indian Air Force shortlisted two of the six competing fighter jets — Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale.

* Rafale beat the Eurofighter Typhoon to bag the deal.

Mishaps since 2000

1. On December 6, 2007, a French Air Force twin-seat Rafale crashed during a training flight. The pilot was killed.

2. On September 24, 2009, two French Navy Rafales returning to the Charles de Gaulle, collided in midair.

3. On November 28, 2010, a Rafale from carrier Charles de Gaulle crashed in the Arabian Sea. The pilot ejected safely.

Vital stats about Rafale

* Crew: 1-2

* Length: 15.27 m (50.1 ft)

* Wingspan: 10.80 m (35.4 ft)

* Height: 5.34 m (17.5 ft)

* Empty weight: 9,500 kg

* Loaded weight: 14,016 kg

* Take-off weight: 24,500 kg

* Fuel capacity: 4,700 kg internal