India's ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Rafale Deal Nears Finalization, Nagpur to Become Defense Hub

• India and France are set to finalize a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale F4 fighter jets, enhancing border security and modern warfare capabilities.
• The deal, likely during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, will bring India's total Rafale fleet to 176, making it a larger operator than France.
• The advanced 'F4' standard Rafales will include 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat jets, with an upgrade provision to F5 standard by 2030 for drone integration.
• Nagpur will become a defense hub, manufacturing 96 aircraft with over 40 Indian companies involved and indigenous technology reaching 60%.
• The deal addresses the Indian Air Force's squadron deficit and provides a crucial air defense backbone until indigenous Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA aircraft are ready.