$40 Billion & 114 Rafale Jets: India Approves Big-Ticket Arms Package - Vantage with Palki Sharma

India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved purchases worth nearly $40 billion, including 114 Rafale Jets, missiles and maritime patrol planes. The package, which is being billed as India's biggest ever, will expand India's existing Rafale fleet of 36 jets.

What does this say about India's military calculations? Why is India doubling down on the French Rafale? Excellent deal. The Rafale jets are proven and reliable and furthermore value for money. This is purchase comes as no surprise. 

India already had plans to aquire those 114 Rafales all the way back since the first 36 to replace it's Mirages and Jaguars. It will give a massive boost India's air power and capabilities and it doesn't mean that India can't get the Su-57, that deal can still happen...or it will. 

I think this is somewhat misleading. India had already planned to aquire the 114 Rafales later on after the first batch of 36 many years ago, mainly to replace some of their older jets which would be phased out anyways (the Mig-29K, a carrier based Mig-29, Mirage 2000s and Jaguars) with a far superior one.

They're simply following through with that plan. And it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't be getting the Su-57 either.