Article Posted on : - Dec 26, 2013

The Rafale fighter. A file photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): Preparing to supply 126 Rafale combat aircraft to India, French firm Dassault Aviation is carrying out gap analysis of aerospace PSU HAL's fighter plane production capabilities to recommend upgrades.

Dassault Aviation and HAL have to work together to produce 108 Rafale fighter planes in India as part of the contract to supply 126 Medium-Multi-role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) to the Indian Air Force.

"Dassault is interacting with various HAL divisions on work packages related to the M-MRCA contract. As part of the technology transfer, Dassault is recommending production capability required. By carrying out gap analysis, HAL would be planning upgradation of facilities as per norms," HAL officials told PTI.

The Defence Ministry and the French firm are still in the process of negotiating the deal which is expected to cost the Government more than Rs 60,000 crore.

The HAL is designated as the lead integrator in the programme and it has been making preparations for the implementation of the project.

"HAL has created a dedicated full time MMRCA Project Group in May 2012 and it is operational since then. Action groups have been created at all HAL divisions taking part in the MMRCA programme. All groups are working in a coordinated manner to interact with the Original Equipment Manufacturers," the officials said.

Dassault wanted Reliance Industries to be the main partner in production of the aircraft in India but the government made it clear that it was not possible as the tender for the procurement clearly stated that aerospace PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would be the lead integrator for the project.

Dassault is collaborating with a number of other Indian private and public sector companies to fulfil its offsets obligations and as part of it, will set up a facility with Reliance to produce the wings of the Rafale combat aircraft.

India had last year selected Rafale aircraft of France after a five-year process after eliminating five other contenders in the race.