India to Buy 114 Rafales for Rs 3.25 Lakh Crore Amid Tejas Delays
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Defence technology· Prelims + Mains·
Defence procurement vs indigenization: a GS3 case study on balancing Atmanirbhar Bharat with immediate security needs.
Why in news
Defence Secretary RK Singh stated that India will acquire 114 additional Rafale fighters under a Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal to address squadron shortages caused by Tejas Mk-1A and Mk-2 production delays.
Background
India is negotiating for 114 Rafale fighters worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore. Deliveries are expected from both French production lines and Indian production lines by 2030-31.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndia's proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighters is valued at Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
- PostRK Singh is the current Defence Secretary of India.
- S&TTejas Mk-1A and Mk-2 are indigenous fighter jets being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- FactDeliveries of the new Rafale batch are expected by the 2030-31 period.
Prelims practice question
What is the expected delivery timeframe for the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighters?
- (a)2030-31
- (b)2028-29
- (c)2025-26
- (d)2035-36
Show answer
Answer: (a) 2030-31 — The note states that deliveries of the Rafales are expected by 2030-31.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in balancing the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in defence manufacturing with the immediate requirement for high-end combat capabilities.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Production bottleneck: HAL's manufacturing delays for Tejas Mk-1A and Mk-2 affecting squadron readiness
- Strategic trade-off: Balancing indigenous development timelines with immediate requirements for proven foreign platforms
- Supply chain integration: Leveraging domestic production lines for foreign-designed aircraft to enhance local manufacturing
Keywords: Atmanirbhar Bharat · Defence Procurement · Indigenization · Strategic Autonomy · Squadron Readiness
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.