WHY INDIA WANTS 114 MORE RAFALES AND WHAT GIVES THE FIGHTER ITS EDGE

India last week moved a step closer to acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation submitting its technical and commercial proposal to New Delhi for the proposed Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal. The proposal, submitted in response to India's Letter of Request issued in May, envisages extensive local production and technology transfer under the Intergovernmental Agreement framework.

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, had accorded Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement in February. Once the remaining acquisition procedures are completed, the deal will require approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The requirement comes against the backdrop of India's continuing shortage of fighter squadrons and the time needed for indigenous programmes such as the Tejas Mk-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft to mature. The 114 Rafales are therefore being positioned not just as an expansion of the existing fleet, but as a bridge between India's present combat capability and its future indigenous fighter force.

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