India aims to finalize 114 Rafale purchase and boost local weapon integration by year-end

India's defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the government intends to conclude a deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets before the end of the financial year, following formal assessment of submitted bids. The French supplier has consented to embed Indian weapons into the aircraft, building on earlier integration work for the Rafale Marine jets already ordered for the navy. The procurement is structured as a buy-and-make programme, with the majority of aircraft to be assembled domestically and substantial indigenisation of avionics and weapons.

Singh, who also chairs the DRDO, said the AMCA fifth-generation fighter programme has entered the RFP stage, though no decision on external platforms has been made yet. He added that the LCA Mk2's first flight is slated for mid-next year, after which the Air Force will evaluate the prototypes. Additionally, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has several airframes and engines ready, aiming to deliver at least one LCA squadron by year-end.