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India Backs $40 Billion Military Upgrade with More Rafale Fighters ...
The deal includes 114 jets to modernize India’s Air Force amid regional tensions, with most aircraft manufactured domestically under technology transfer agreements.
- On February 12, India's Defence Ministry approved a Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets ahead of Emmanuel Macron's visit to New Delhi.
- Facing an ageing fleet, the Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 29 jets, well below the sanctioned 42, while bureaucratic hurdles slow domestic production amid a $85 billion defence budget push.
- As outlined by officials, the plan involves majority of the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft being manufactured in India with technology transfer and Indian systems integration, including 18 fly-away aircraft and media reports suggesting Dassault Aviation could produce at least 90 jets locally.
- The move immediately enhances the Indian Air Force's deterrence and long-range strike capability, while allowing the Defence Acquisition Council to advance commercial and technical negotiations ahead of the French presidential visit.
- Strategically, analysts say the Rafales will help bridge capability shortfalls amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and China, underscoring New Delhi's effort to diversify from Russia toward France, the United States, and Israel.
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With a record order of 114 aircraft from Dassault Aviation, India is putting on an already controlled aircraft, without any political constraints of use. The manufacturing in part local and the search for strategic independence have tilted the balance against the offers of the United States.
Indian defense officials on Thursday approved the purchase of defense equipment, including French Rafale fighter jets, for $39 billion (32.8 billion euros), days before a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
·Vilnius, Lithuania
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 38%
C 50%
12%
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