France and the Rafale lose a 29,000 crore rupee deal: The South American country of Colombia has chosen Sweden's Gripen fighter jet over the Rafale from France's Dassault Aviation. This has cost Rafale a deal worth 29,000 crore rupees. This news comes amid India's preparations to purchase 114 Rafales.

France and the Rafale lose a 29,000 crore rupee deal: India is moving ahead rapidly on a deal to purchase 114 Rafale aircraft from France for approximately 3.25 lakh crore rupees. This deal is poised to be one of the largest in the global arms market. Discussions are ongoing worldwide about the Rafale's specifications and its comparisons to the American fighter jet F-35. Meanwhile, bad news has arrived regarding the Rafale. India has lost a deal worth approximately 29,000 crore rupees.

In fact, France's Dassault Aviation had hoped that the South American country of Colombia would purchase Rafale aircraft for its air force. Colombia is looking to upgrade its aging fighter jets. Military officials there have discussed this.Rafale is highly praised.It was also announced. Then a backdoor deal was struck, and the deal between Dassault and Colombia was finalized for approximately 2.96 billion pounds, or approximately 27,000 crore rupees. On paper, the deal was almost finalized. Had this deal been finalized, these Israeli Kir jets would have replaced Colombia's existing fleet of jets. However, at the last moment, the Colombian government decided to give the deal to Sweden's Gripen, not Rafale. There has been no official word on why Rafale was not awarded the deal.

According to a report on the website bishopstrow.com, the Swedish company made several attractive offers to Colombia, including long-term industrial cooperation, the possibility of technology transfer and local assembly, and promises of relatively low operational costs and maintenance.

Why Gripen and not Rafale?

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The Gripen bills itself as a smart fighter jet for mid-sized air forces. It is relatively light and flexible, and cheaper to operate than the Rafale or the European Union's Eurofighter Typhoon. Furthermore, Colombia believes that the Gripen deal will allow it to create an ecosystem for manufacturing fighter jets domestically. This also makes it clear that purchasing fighter jets is not the only issue, but also the cost of operating them.

Is Rafale losing its sheen?

After the setback from Colombia, one might wonder if the Rafale's luster is fading. Similarly, France suffered a setback from Australia in 2021. Australia, in a blow to France, prioritized the US and UK in the submarine deal. However, to conclude on this basis that the Rafale's luster is fading would be inaccurate. Many new customers have been found outside the world, with India being the most prominent. The Rafale order book is currently full. Nearly 300 fighter jets have been built so far. These are currently the backbone of the French Air Force. The French Air Force has 234 Rafale aircraft and currently has orders for approximately 273 fighter jets. India is the main name among those who purchased Rafale.Countries like Qatar, Greece, Croatia and UAE are included.

India is buying 114 fighter jets

India has already purchased 36 Rafales for the Air Force and 26 for the Navy from France. It is now preparing to place a new order for 114 fighter jets, valued at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore. If this deal is finalized, the Indian Air Force will become the second largest operator of the Rafales after France.

PC:News18