WEBDESK: Despite the failure of Rafale fighter jets in Operation Sandur, the Modi government is pushing ahead with a new deal with France to produce more of the aircraft.
According to The Times of India, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun the process of acquiring additional Rafales to address a shortage of squadrons. The Air Force has expressed full support for the government-level agreement with France.
Under the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) programme, India plans to produce Rafale jets domestically with foreign collaboration. Defence sources told The Times of India that the IAF aims to secure initial approval from the Defence Acquisition Council within two months.
The Air Force’s squadron strength has dropped to 29, prompting urgency in the procurement process. Critics say the IAF is investing in expensive aircraft despite lacking the professional skill to use them effectively.
In the Operation Sindoor Pakistani J-10C fighter jets outperformed the India Rafales and Su-30MKI aircraft, revealing shortcomings in IAF. The critics say purchase of additional Rafales as part of the MRFA plan is a way of self deceiving oneself through expensive means.
The failure in Operation Sindoor also exposed deeper issues of the IAF in the form of corruption, political interference and lack of professionalism. Defence analysts observe that air warfare is determined by the ability of pilots and their training and not merely potent weapons.
They further claim that the leadership of India’s armed forces is distracted by political agendas, Hindutva slogans, and corruption scandals. They argue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s war-driven RSS-inspired rhetoric has repeatedly led India to humiliating defeats.
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