Overview
- Government officials report active discussions on an Indian Air Force plan to acquire 114 Rafale fighters at an estimated cost of about ₹3.25 lakh crore.
- Under the working model, 18 aircraft would arrive in fly-away condition while 96 would be built in India, with indigenous content reported in the 30–60% range and some reports suggesting a higher target.
- New Delhi has set non-negotiable conditions that include integrating Indian weapons across the fleet, providing secure data links for digital interoperability, and transferring airframe know-how with supplier participation from Safran and Thales.
- One report cites sources saying transfer of source code is being demanded to ensure future integration and interoperability, though final contract terms have not been approved.
- The procurement push comes as IAF squadron strength hovers near 29–30 against an authorized 42, with industry groundwork such as a Dassault–TASL fuselage line in Hyderabad slated to supply from 2028.