IAF's 114 Rafale Pick: Low Risk, Make-in-India for Stronger Defense

• Rafale is the IAF's top choice for 114 new fighter jets due to its operational continuity, established ecosystem, and "Make in India" potential.
• Its existing service with the IAF makes it a low-risk, high-readiness option, avoiding operational and logistical burdens of new platforms.
• A Government-to-Government (G2G) deal for Rafale can ensure faster delivery and lower contractual risks, leveraging previous price benchmarks.
• Discussions include advanced F4 and F5 variants, indicating a move towards next-generation capabilities with improved sensors and weapons.
• The project involves significant localization, including fuselage manufacturing in India and an MRO facility for M88 engines by Safran in Hyderabad.

Why It Matters: Rafale deal strengthens India's air defense and boosts indigenous aerospace manufacturing.