Description: The Indian Defense Ministry has announced the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets from France for an estimated amount of $7.4 billion. The purchase, previously approved by India’s Security Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, would aim at boosting domestic production and manufacturing industry and decreasing India’s dependence on military equipment from Russian origin. The delivery date is set for the first quarter of 2030 while Indian pilots and engineers would be trained in both France and India. The purchase is in line with current regional instability in the disputed Kashmir region with Pakistan and the growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian ocean.
Impact: India has continuously repositioned its strategic alliances which are directly corelated with regional instability and countering Chinese influence. The recent escalation of tensions with Pakistan in Kashmir would further fuel substantial rearmament efforts which could impact both the domestic economy and India’s trade and exportation capacities. Heavy reliance on western – based military industrial sectors showcase India’s ambitions to reestablish strategic ties with European countries and the US as they aim at reemerging as an influential global and regional actor.