Not just Rafale jets, make its weapons in India too: Rajnath

India has conveyed to France that it should also include indigenous content in Rafale weapons package besides making the fighter jets in India as part of a deal to procure 114 of the combat aircraft. Sources said that in a meeting with his French counterpart this week, defence minister Rajnath Singh asked for a larger Make in India component for the Rafale deal. This would include the significant weapons package that would be signed consisting of Meteor, SCALP and Mica missiles, besides other armaments.

India has already cleared a ₹3,200 crore deal for additional SCALP air to ground missiles that were used with precise effect during Operation Sindoor. Sources said the Indian side is keen that the weapons be produced in India, given the large-scale requirements of the fleet over the next three decades.

While the Rafale jets to be produced in India will be enabled to integrate indigenous weapons, they will also have a significant number of French-origin missiles, which are currently being fully imported. India has been looking to produce cutting edge armament locally, with a joint venture agreement signed earlier this month between Safran and BEL to produce the highly agile modular munition extended range (HAMMER) smart precision guided air-to-ground weapon in India.
Sources said a similar model would be preferred for other missiles and weapons that would go on the fleet of Rafale fighter jets in service with the Indian Air Force and Navy. This could bring cutting edge manufacturing technology to Indian companies, which are at present mostly producing DRDO developed ammunition and missiles.

It would also enable integrating Indian companies in the global supply chains of complex armament. There is a growing global requirement for long-range missiles and weapons, including in Europe where nations have upped defence spending. India is pitching itself as a reliable partner to the EU, to use European expertise in defence research and development, to strengthen the Indian defence industrial base and diversify supply chains.