What Happened
New Delhi Explores Local Manufacturing In Fighter Jet Agreement
India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement, with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to address growing gaps in its fighter inventory. The discussions are linked to the IAF’s requirement for 114 modern fighters under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, according to AeroTime.