DAC cleares the Rafale deal with a Make in India twist

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the long-awaited deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, marking a major push for domestic defence manufacturing. Under the project, 90 aircraft will be produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and its private partners, with a targeted indigenous content of 50 percent. The agreement also includes a significant technology transfer component from France’s Dassault Aviation. In a notable policy shift, France has agreed to integrate Indian-made weapons and systems—including missiles and avionics—on the Rafale platform. This move not only strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence production but also deepens Indo-French strategic cooperation in aerospace and military technology.