The impending $12 billion contract to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) by the defence ministry from Dassault, is set to be a game changer for the Indian aerospace and defence industries with about $6 billion worth of offset contracts expected to flow to Indian companies.
This deal, as and when signed, ensures that Dassault along with its two major suppliers Thales and Safran Group would place offset contracts on Indian vendors amounting to minimum of 50 per cent of the value which in this case could be $6 billion and this obligation would be co-terminus with fulfillment, which is 12 years span.
With this, new technology absorption, world class facilities, adaptation of cutting edge processes, systems and the skilled manpower would create a formidable ecosystem for India to compete in the global marketplace.
Of the $6 billion in offset money flowing into India, about 50 per cent is likely to be spent on manpower. On an average of $20,000 per man year, this would mean 150,000 man years of new jobs in the defence aerospace industry. This would translate into 5,000 jobs in the3rd year and stabilize at 20,000 jobs in the ninth year. Also, all support services like maintenance, training and logistics have to be provided by Indian industries with the technology and know-how of Dassault, Thales and Safran for the next 40 years. This could create an additional 4,000 jobs. And more……