Vayusena & Nausena Rafale: News & Discussion

[Bharadwaj]

They have not even got into the negotiation phase since DAC approval is pending- How do they know they are going to get a free hand?

[Manish_P]

IAF to have free hand to integrate weapons on 114 new Rafales: Sources
https://www.business-standard.com/exter ... 903_1.html
06 Feb 2026

As free as they were during Kargil?

Indian hands needing support of Israeli shoulders

[uddu]

Video in the link of India's best defense minister speaking...

https://x.com/i/status/2021143363916005560
@Neetivaan
India is paying the price for losing visionaries like the late Manohar Parrikar too early.

Listen to him and you’ll see why we’re into buying 114 Rafales.

Govt literally sat idle for a decade only to pump billions into France.

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2021082299853598788
@JaidevJamwal

India bought T-90 tanks in a very controversial deal marred by deliberately hidden costs and limitations which increased the actual cost by more than 50% and delays of a decade.

To make the tanks battle worthy, a lot more money was spent and DRDO tech developed for Arjun were used. It also effectively killed the Arjun project.

Current Rafale deal is doing just that, but with a lot more money. Don't trust anyone justifying this bs. These imports will end up costing a lot more than the published cost and kill Tejas and AMCA.

[uddu]

I have a feeling that the Rafale deal for IAF may not happen or will be cut down to 2 or so 3 squadrons. There is a greater chance of Su-57 coming than Rafale. The way the French put spanners in MKIzing Rafale makes it unworthy to be considered. Tejas MK2 order will be increased to 200. Even the engines F-414 local manufacturing will see a boost with those increased numbers. They better put that money in the Super Sukhoi upgrade and other project like Yashas, tankers, transport aircraft, radars, Pralay, Land variant of Hypersonic missiles, Kusha, Akash NG, Rudram series, Air lauched Pinaka, Astra missiles etc.

[Rakesh]

I have a feeling that the Rafale deal for IAF may not happen or will be cut down to 2 or so 3 squadrons. There is a greater chance of Su-57 coming than Rafale. The way the French put spanners in MKIzing Rafale makes it unworthy to be considered. Tejas MK2 order will be increased to 200. Even the engines F-414 local manufacturing will see a boost with those increased numbers. They better put that money in the Super Sukhoi upgrade and other project like Yashas, tankers, transport aircraft, radars, Pralay, Land variant of Hypersonic missiles, Kusha, Akash NG, Rudram series, Air lauched Pinaka, Astra missiles etc.

If 114 Rafales do not get sanctioned, the JV between GTRE and Safran will collapse. So will all the recent JVs between Dassault and Indian companies (TASL for example) for Rafale assembly. This is not just about cost alone.

This deal is going to be expensive, but it will happen. Failure to achieve contract signing will have long term ramifications. And not just in terms of squadron strength, aircraft type, weapons integration...but geopolitically. This has gone out of Air HQ's hand and even the MoD's hand. This is now a PMO-led venture, with everyone else in for the ride.

Thank Pakistan and Op Sindoor for the 114 deal moving forward. Air HQ would likely still be stuck in RFP stage of the MRFA contract, if no Op Sindoor had occurred. The Rafale performed really well during Op Sindoor.

Su-57 - if it materializes - will be separate from the 114 MRFA contract.

[Rakesh]

Video in the link of India's best defense minister speaking...

https://x.com/i/status/2021143363916005560
@Neetivaan

This X account exists only to troll. Dude has a permanent black cloud over his head and whines everyday on X. Best ignored.

[Manish_P]

...
This deal is going to be expensive, but it will happen. Failure to achieve contract signing will have long term ramifications. And not just in terms of squadron strength, aircraft type, weapons integration...but geopolitically. This has gone out of Air HQ's hand and even the MoD's hand. This is now a PMO-led venture, with everyone else in for the ride.
...

+1

...
Su-57 - if it materializes - will be separate from the 114 MRFA contract.

This is an important reason that President Putin has met PM Modi multiple times. The canny russians want their product to be a PMO-led venture as well

And our PMO is very bijness minded alright - venture capitalist level. They will not put money in just one venture

[rrao]

Loar group has bought french company LMB aerospace, France for 433 million USD last year. Is this LOAR group is CIA/ISI linked?

Rafale under spotlight after American buyout of French supplier
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation ... loar-group
06 Feb 2026

[Rakesh]

Loar group has bought french company LMB aerospace, France for 433 million USD last year. Is this LOAR group is CIA/ISI linked?

Rafale under spotlight after American buyout of French supplier
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation ... loar-group
06 Feb 2026

Follow the discussion on the previous page of this thread ---> viewtopic.php?p=2671328#p2671328

[Rakesh]

Rafale dilemma sums up India’s defence paradox — security vs self-reliance
https://theprint.in/opinion/rafale-deal ... e/2851152/
11 Feb 2026

To evaluate the futility or the utility of India's procurement of 114 Rafale aircraft, we must first define the problem it aims to solve.

[Rakesh]

This is an important reason that President Putin has met PM Modi multiple times. The canny russians want their product to be a PMO-led venture as well.

And our PMO is very bijness minded alright - venture capitalist level. They will not put money in just one venture

Important deals like this are best formulated as PMO led ventures. We are incapable of running a large, multi-vendor contest as the MMRCA/SE/MRFA contests have clearly displayed. 25+ years later and we are still nowhere close to contract signing. Pathetic.

The AL-51 is not set up for export, as of yet. But if it ever does, India will committ. See this ---> viewtopic.php?p=2671894#p2671894

[Manish_P]

... We are incapable of running a large, multi-vendor contest as the MMRCA/SE/MRFA contests have clearly displayed. 25+ years later and we are still nowhere close to contract signing. Pathetic...

Begging your pardon sir but we are more than capable of running large, multi-vendor contests. As we proved with the MMRCA/MRCA.

What we struggle with, due to various internal factors, is the post-contest processes, decisions, implementations.

[Rakesh]

... We are incapable of running a large, multi-vendor contest as the MMRCA/SE/MRFA contests have clearly displayed. 25+ years later and we are still nowhere close to contract signing. Pathetic...

Begging your pardon sir but we are more than capable of running large, multi-vendor contests. As we proved with the MMRCA/MRCA.

What we struggle with, due to various internal factors, is the post-contest processes, decisions, implementations.

I was referring to your second sentence with my comment. You worded it better though.

[drnayar]

... We are incapable of running a large, multi-vendor contest as the MMRCA/SE/MRFA contests have clearly displayed. 25+ years later and we are still nowhere close to contract signing. Pathetic...

Begging your pardon sir but we are more than capable of running large, multi-vendor contests. As we proved with the MMRCA/MRCA.

What we struggle with, due to various internal factors, is the post-contest processes, decisions, implementations.

quite right , the exhaustive indian evaluation process itself is a global benchmark of sorts now !! even if we didn't buy anything the MRFA process has shown the qualitative strengths and weaknesses of the competitive aircraft that other countries can also use !

Also partly the reason why Rafale sales went through the roof !