New Delhi: India needs more Rafale fighter jets, but they will need to have a higher indigenous content.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has apparently stalled the “Statement of Case” or SOC by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the purchase of 114 fighters, calling it “incomplete”. The MoD wants “further discussion with Dassault – the manufacturers of the Rafale”. ADVERTISEMENT

Dassault has already supplied 36 Rafales to the IAF and bagged an order for the marine version of the aircraft for the Indian Navy.

India is now on the lookout for 114 more ‘medium’ combat aircrafts and Dassault is the top contender.

The SOC has been declared “incomplete” as officials believe that there can be much more indigenisation of the warplane, in line with India’s Atmanirbharata or self-reliance policy, TIME

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