Biggest defence deal in India's history
The strength of a country is also the strength of its military. The United States, which is considered the world's greatest power, has the best military in the world. One of the main reasons why the US insist that other countries obey them is the invincibility of their defence forces, beyond economic superiority.
In the past, land warfare was important. The military strength of a country was measured by the number of members in the army. Today, this has changed. As technological skills have developed, a lone soldier has become like an army. A single soldier can command and operate a variety of ground-based weapons, including guns.
The advancement of weapons technology, not the number of soldiers, has become important in the defence forces in the present. In the past, even if there was a war between the two countries, the air war would have started only in the second phase. Today, the war begins with the dropping of missiles and bombs from the sky. That is why the Air Force is now above the Army and Navy. India's defence deal of Rs 3.6 lakh crore to buy 114 Rafale aircraft from France should be evaluated in this context. This historic deal is expected to increase India's defence strength tenfold. If we look at the history of centuries, India has never invaded any country first. Therefore, the increase in India's military strength will not increase the anxiety of any other country in the world except a handful of countries. Moreover, India's military strength will contribute to world peace in many ways.
The Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence has approved the purchase of 114 more Rafale aircraft for the Air Force. Six P-8I surveillance aircraft will be purchased for the Navy. The defence deal was approved by the DAC chaired by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal will be finalised once the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the Prime Minister approves it. India currently has 36 Rafale aircraft. With the purchase of 114 more in various phases, the number of Rafale aircraft with India will increase to 176.
The approval of this important defence deal comes as French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India on the 17th of this month. The purchase of more Rafale fighter jets is part of the Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft program. With this, India will become the country with the largest number of Rafale fighter jets after France. France will manufacture 18 of the Rafale fighter jets and transfer them to India. The biggest feature of this deal is that the remaining 96 aircraft will be manufactured indigenously with the help of France.