Beyond price and politics: Rafale-M, the synthesis of policy and practice

Perhaps one of the most popular defense deals ever signed anywhere in the world was the Rafale Jet deal, which was signed for the Indian Air Force in September 2016 through an intergovernmental agreement between the Indian and French governments.

- MANISH BARMA

In addition to receiving unheard-of levels of media attention, the deal was also tainted by allegations of a scam. Allegations flew, loud debates followed, and intense political mudslinging ensued until the Supreme Court of India stepped in and on December 14, 2018, after hearing petitions raised by complaining parties, gave a clean chit to the deal clearly stating that it has "studied the material carefully," and found no evidence of any malpractice. Observantly speaking, it still manages to induce a sense of doubt about the propriety of the 2016 deal in the minds of some. However, it is becoming obvious, particularly in the wake of the tragic Pahalgam incident where Pakistan-backed terrorists murdered innocent tourists, that the Indian Air Force will be in an even better position as compared to what it was during the Balakot strikes of 2019, to carry out any aerial strike that the Indian government authorizes on military or terrorist targets across the Line of Control (LOC), thanks to the capabilities that the Rafale aircraft brings to the table. This is one feature of the Rafale that is without any question or doubt. In this backdrop, it is also worth reiterating that the real significance of the naval version of the jet, the Rafale-M, that has been recently chosen as the platform of choice for the India navy, is not in its procurement cost or any political debate which it may generate; it is rather its ability to effectively force escalation dominance and create an asymmetric battlefield scenario in favor of India. A cursory stock of the Rafale Marine jet will help us in appreciating the larger geo-strategic canvass in which India's armed forces will operate in the near future.