The Economic Times and The Times of India reported on January 17 that the Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved a proposal to purchase 114 French Rafale jets. The transaction is expected to exceed 35 billion euros (E35 billion), potentially becoming the largest defense procurement order in India's history. Next, the Indian cabinet will make the final decision on this deal, and the relevant agreement is expected to be formally signed during the visit of French President Macron to India next month. This procurement will be carried out through an intergovernmental agreement to ensure smooth delivery. According to the agreement, about 80% of the 114 aircraft will be manufactured in India, with a local content ratio of no less than 60%. France plans to deliver 18 complete aircraft after 2030. According to the report, the production work will be handled by Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), with production facilities located in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has already established a manufacturing plant in Hyderabad to produce four major components of the fuselage to meet Dassault's global order demands. The factory is expected to deliver its first products in the 2028 fiscal year, with an annual capacity of up to 24 fuselages. Additionally, it was reported that the Indian Air Force is currently facing a serious shortage of fighter aircraft, which should have deployed 42 fighter squadrons, but only 29 are currently in service. At present, the Indian Air Force has 36 Rafale aircraft, and the Indian government has also ordered 26 Rafale carrier-based aircraft from Dassault for the Navy.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854822747743232/
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