French ‘Non’ For Rafale Code Means Russian ‘Dah’ For Su-57 Felon

The French reluctance over sharing source code data for India’s Rafale fleet of 36 fighter jets saw PM Narendra Modi turning to Russia for fine-tuning 16 indigenously developed “Kaveri” turbofan engines (currently being tested on modified Ilyushin 11-76 aircraft in Russia). India is now reconsidering further purchase of 26 Rafale Marine jets while looking at the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon Russian fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter as the alternative given President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to share technology, jointly collaborate to develop ‘Made in India’ production lines with deeper source code access. In modern fighter aircraft source code refers to software for effective control over mission-critical systems to include radar, electronic warfare, target acquisition and weapons release systems. Rather than depending upon recalcitrant France for every software patch or operational change resulting in limitations of weapons integration particularly, Indian-make or importer weapons, Putin’s sweet-heart deal to develop India’s stealth bomber with super manoeuvrability and advance avionics is being pursued by PM Modi who was also offered the upgraded S-500 systems in joint collaboration by President Putin last week. Further to the weapons and upgraded missile defence systems, Russia has also upped the ante on its crude oil exports to India with further rationalized tariff for Brent with India’s imports from that country now standing at 41% of its total annual oil flow. India will now procure 110 mega oil carriers to ensure a seamless flow of continuous oil slide from Russia, a tested and proven ally for decades now.