Engineering news. Aerospace Innovation & Technology. Dassault Aviation’s Rafale Wins India's M-MRCA Competition. This is what I have been saying since last December: that Dassault Aviation's bid was L-1. Am glad that the ‘buzz’ I had come across in Delhi—claiming that the Rafale’s per unit cost was US$5 million cheaper—has now been confirmed.Within the next 60 days, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is widely expected to finally ink the contract for procuring up to 189 Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft (M-MRCA), inclusive of firm orders for 126 units, with an option for another 63.
Around a quarter of the total projected fleet of IAF Rafales will be tandem-seaters. The final contract value will include the flyaway per-unit cost of the aircraft, plus administrative costs related to project implementation. Following contract dignature, R & D work will begin in both France and at the IAF’s Bengaluru-based Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) to customise those Rafales destined for the IAF in order to accept mission-specific avionics that will ensure compatibility with the IACCCS. Livefist. Rafale News. Avia news.