印度要买114架“阵风”

Core Viewpoint - The Indian government is planning to spend approximately 3.25 trillion rupees (around 35.8 billion USD) to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, highlighting the urgent need to bolster the Indian Air Force's capabilities as its squadron strength has dwindled to 29, significantly below the sanctioned 42 [3][4]. Group 1 - The Indian Air Force's squadron strength has decreased to 29, with the primary aircraft MiG-21 retired in September last year, and other models like MiG-29 and Mirage-2000 set to retire in the coming years [3]. - The Indian military has historically relied on imported military equipment, but recent initiatives by Prime Minister Modi have aimed to promote domestic manufacturing [3]. - The indigenous fighter jet era for the Indian Air Force began in the 1980s, but significant progress was only made in the last decade with the induction of the Tejas fighter jet, which is gradually replacing the Soviet-era MiG-21 [4]. Group 2 - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has received nearly 180 domestic orders for the upgraded Tejas MK-1A fighter jets, but deliveries have yet to commence due to supply chain issues with engines from General Electric Aviation [4].