DAC Approves Rs 3.6 Lakh Crore Defence Deals: 114 Rafales, 6 P8i Planes Cleared

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved deals worth Rs 3.6 lakh crore for 114 Rafale fighter planes for the Indian Air Force and six P8i patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy.
• The Rafale deal approval comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit; 18 Rafales will be fly-away, rest manufactured in India.
• This deal will increase India's Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft, adding to the existing 36 and 26 naval versions ordered.
• DAC also cleared deals for combat missiles, Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), anti-tank mines, tanks, and armoured personnel carriers.
• India aims for 80% domestic build and 60% indigenous content for the new Rafales, with the IAF needing 88 single-seater and 26 twin-seater planes.