Due to India’s ageing Soviet-era aircraft and delays in the LCA programme, the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition was launched by the IAF in 2007 to acquire 126 fighters. Dassault’s Rafale emerged as the lowest bidder in 2012. Negotiations have since been bogged down by disputes over liabilities for aircraft built in India, rising costs and technology transfer. The main obstacle remains France’s refusal to share the jet’s source code and Interface Control Documents (ICDs), which has stalled progress.

India’s bid to obtain Rafale’s source code has previously been a source of dispute. Marka-e-Haq pushed the issue aside as a more urgent reality took hold: the downing of four IAF-operated Rafales by the gallant PAF J-10C pilots during the largest and longest full-spectrum, multidomain BVR aerial battle, choreographed by the current leadership from the Air Headquarters operations room. The loss of Rafales in May 2025 triggered unprecedented tensions between the Indian government and Dassault, marking the first operational losses in the aircraft’s two-decade service. Dassault’s audit team was also denied access to the IAF fleet, a serious violation of established defence industry practice, where post-incident inspections are normally encouraged to improve safety and performance. Additionally, Paris moved to........

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