Bharat Mata Ki Jai, says Defense Minister Rajnath Singh after India launches Operation Sindoor in Pakistan
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News18
28 minutes ago
- News18
Not F-35 or SU-57… India Eyeing This Deadly Fighter Jet Feared Across Borders
The IAF has identified the Rafale as the most suitable platform to strengthen its fleet under the long-delayed Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme In the wake of Operation Sindoor, which underscored the precision-strike capability of the Rafale in combat, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has renewed its push to acquire additional units of the French-made fighter. While India's air dominance was once again on display during the operation earlier this year, the IAF continues to face a critical shortfall in combat squadrons, a gap that senior commanders say must be addressed urgently. Rejecting the American F-35 and Russian Su-57 for the moment, the IAF has identified the Rafale as the most suitable platform to strengthen its fleet under the long-delayed Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. Senior officials have 'strongly advocated a government-to-government agreement with France" to fast-track procurement, most of which would be manufactured domestically in partnership with foreign firms. This would mean that 'very soon the Indian Air Force will get 'desi Rafale'." Current Strength and the Gap India's requirement stands at a minimum of 42 fighter squadrons. At present, the IAF operates only 29, compared to Pakistan's 25 and China's formidable 66 squadrons. Both rivals already possess 5th-generation fighters, while India's most advanced combat aircraft, the Rafale, belongs to the 4.5-generation class. The IAF currently fields two squadrons of Rafales. According to a The Times of India report, the IAF is set to push the MRFA proposal to the stage of Initial Acceptance of Requirement (AON), the first formal step in the procurement process. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to take up the matter within the next two months. Sources say the final decision will rest with the government when the MRFA case reaches the DAC, but the urgency is clear that the IAF is keen to prevent any further decline in squadron numbers. Momentum After Operation Sindoor The renewed push for Rafales comes just two months after Operation Sindoor, which ran from May 7 to 10 as a retaliatory action following the Pahalgam attack in April. Rafales played a central role, carrying out long-range precision strikes across the border. The MRFA programme has been in limbo for seven to eight years, with its initial estimated cost pegged at over Rs 1.2 lakh crore. The IAF currently maintains 31 fighter squadrons, each comprising 16-18 jets. With the impending retirement of the MiG-21 fleet next month, that figure will drop to its lowest-ever 29 squadrons. The 5th-Gen Requirement The IAF has also acknowledged the need to induct 5th-generation fighters, with the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 and the American F-35 under consideration. However, talks on this front have not begun. From a cost-efficiency and maintenance standpoint, the IAF believes more Rafales under a direct government-to-government deal with France would be the most viable solution. The last such deal was signed in September 2016, worth Rs 59,000 crore, for 36 jets now stationed at Ambala and Hasimara air bases. If approved, the MRFA push could ensure the IAF does not just maintain its current edge but also narrows the gap with regional rivals in the years ahead. view comments First Published: News india Not F-35 or SU-57… India Eyeing This Deadly Fighter Jet Feared Across Borders Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Asim Munir threatens India with ‘jugular vein' remark in US, says ‘no shortage of resources to…'
Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir yet again repeated the anti-India rhetoric, this time in the United States. While reiterating his 'juglar vein' remark he claimed that Kashmir is not New Delhi's internal matter but an unresolved international issue. Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir holds a microphone during his visit at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to witness the Exercise Hammer Strike, a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by the Pakistan Army's Mangla Strike Corps, in Mangla, Pakistan.(Reuters) The remarks came as over the weekend, Munir visited two US cities before travelling to Brussels on Sunday, marking his second high-profile trip to Washington in less than two months. At a black-tie dinner in Washington DC hosted by Adnan Asad, Pakistan's honorary consul in Tampa, Munir said the Indus River 'is not the Indians' family property' and claimed Islamabad had 'no shortage of resources to undo the Indian designs to stop the river,' according to The Dawn cited by news agency ANI. Speaking during his ongoing visit to the US, he said, 'We will wait for India to build a dam, and when they do so, we will destroy it,' Pakistan-based media outlet ARY News reported on Monday, citing remarks at an event in Tampa, Florida. Asim Munir was in Tampa for attending the US Central Command (CENTCOM) change of command ceremony, where Admiral Brad Cooper took over from General Michael E Kurilla. Reiterates 'jugular vein' comment on Kashmir Munir repeated his earlier description of Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein,' asserting that it is not India's internal matter but 'an unresolved international issue.' He also accused India of 'aggression under Operation Sindoor,' calling it a 'grave violation' of Pakistan's sovereignty. 'A bilateral conflict due to any mistake by India would be a huge blunder,' Munir was quoted as saying by ARY News. He claimed Pakistan's response had averted a wider conflict and thanked US President Donald Trump for his role in reducing tensions between the two countries. India rejects Pakistan's claims India has previously dismissed Munir's 'jugular vein' remarks as baseless. Following similar comments by Munir in April before Pahalgam attack, India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, 'How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein?" He added, 'This is a union territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country.' Jaiswal also rejected suggestions of US mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, stating that the agreement was reached through direct talks between the militaries of the two nations. (With ANI inputs)
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
India's multilateral options against US' tariff bullying
We are still digesting the United States' punitive 25% tariff slapped on India for continuing to purchase Russian crude oil. The new, additional tariff takes the impost to a ridiculous 50%. The timing and ferocity of the second tranche of punitive tariffs has taken the government and its pundits by surprise. But, equally, the government's push back to what it has dubbed 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable', has been startlingly strong. A Reuters report on Friday said New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new US weapons and aircraft; and Defense minister Rajnath Singh, who was to go to Washington to make these announcements on weapons purchase, has put off his trip. There is also no indication that Indian oil companies have been asked to go slow on Russian oil purchases. This has effectively aborted the ongoing US-India trade negotiations. President Donald Trump has indicated on Thursday he is not interested in reopening talks. This has dashed hopes that there could be an interim deal before the punitive tariffs kick in on 27 August. How does India deal with what could be a catastrophic situation? Is there a way out? A painful cut The Indian economy is inextricably linked to the US markets. The U.S. is India's largest trading partner to whom we export $87 billion of goods. The U.S. accounts for 20% of our exports, and contributes about 2.2% to our gross domestic product (GDP). An additional 25% tariff could cut GDP by 0.2–0.4%, risking growth slipping below 6% this year. For large swathes of the industry, it is curtains. Effectively, we are facing a US trade embargo. The gems and jewelry industry, which exports 45% of its polished gems and other products to the U.S., has suspended further shipments. The textile and apparels industry too has stopped exports having been edged out by Bangladesh and Vietnam, who face a much lower tariff of 20%. The tragedy is most of these export units are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are highly labour intensive. The new tariff regime will shut lakhs of small units and throw millions out of work. Diamond polishing hubs like Surat and Bhiwandi have already turning into ghost towns. The deal breaker seems to be US' insistence on access to India's agricultural and dairy markets. And they want to flood us with genetically modified corn and wheat. It is a red line the Modi government has refused to cross fearing massive farmer backlash. And Trump has decided India needs to be made an example of. He wants to send a message to the rest of the world. India is in a spot. How does it meet this new round of US bullying? As noted earlier, the government has registered its discontent by suspending its purchases of U.S. armaments. However, there are indications that India's foreign policy might see a more permanent shift away from the 'soft' middle-of-the-road line with a pro-US tilt. Prime Minister Modi is now hoping to heal relations with President Xi Jinping and has scheduled a visit to Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit at the end to August. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has simultaneously made an 'air dash' to Moscow and is working on a Vladimir Putin visit to New Delhi is in the near future. It is also significant that South Block chose to widely publicize Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva long, one-hour phone talk on 'developing multilateralism' and how to deal with the 50% tariff both countries face. Alternative partners There are a few other steps India can take to return fire like imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods entering India. However, in the long-term it is 'multilateralism' and building alternative trade partnerships that India must now pursue. Over time, India has given up its leadership position in the region and the developing world region. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is in tatters. We have friction with all our local neighbours -- Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and even the Maldives. On the international stage, India has taken an ambivalent stand on significant issues like the Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict. This has considerably dented our standing and credibility in the comity of nations. This is a far cry from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) founded at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Seeking to unite the newly independent, developing countries as a 'third force' in a bi-polar world, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt and Marshal Josip Tito of Yugoslavia and others advocated economic cooperation among the Global South to beat the domination of the Super Powers. Perhaps it is high time that the NAM spirit is revived. The BRICS alliance is one such counter magnet that can take on US' domination. It originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but now includes many others. Its objects are to create a more multi-polar, inclusive global order through economic cooperation. It is no wonder Donald Trump has been singling out BRICs for attack, especially its initiative to create an alternative currency to the dollar. At its recent convention in Brazil, the US president threatened the alliance with 10% enhanced tariffs if the group did not disband. The future thus lies not in disbandment but in vigorous revival and generation of a bloc that will rival the U.S. - dominated world order. India is currently negotiating free trade agreements (FTA) with 6 countries including the US. An important one which is pending is with the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN). Another infrastructure alliance under Chinese leadership that can be considered is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This does not mean we should not pursue negotiations with the US for a fair trade deal. Whether it will happen will depend on how much the US and India are willing to dilute their positions. Meanwhile, the creation of multilateral economic partnerships as an alternative to U.S. domination must be seen not as short-term posturing but a long term foreign policy.
