DAC Approves ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Rafale Deal ⭐⭐⭐

Why in News?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft.

Chairman

Rajnath Singh

Value

₹3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40 billion)

Key Highlights

• 18 aircraft → Fly-away condition from France
• 96 aircraft → Manufactured in India
• Under Make in India

Additional Approval

• 6 Boeing P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft for Indian Navy

Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)

• First stage of India's defence procurement process.

India's Rafale Fleet

• 36 (already with IAF)
• 26 Rafale-M (Indian Navy)
• 114 New Rafales
• Total = 176 Rafales

UPSC Prelims

• Manufacturer → Dassault Aviation (France)
• HQ → Saint-Cloud, France
• CEO → Eric Trappier

Mains Keywords

• Make in India
• Defence Indigenisation
• Air Power Modernisation