logo
India's landmark production of Rafale fuselages a ‘welcome' boost for defence

India's landmark production of Rafale fuselages a ‘welcome' boost for defence

France's Dassault Aviation will manufacture the main body section of its Rafale multirole fighter jets in India – the first time production has taken place outside France – in a move analysts say marks a strategic milestone in New Delhi's push for defence self-reliance amid growing pressure to modernise its ageing air force.
Advertisement
The fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft will be produced through a partnership with India's Tata group, as part of a broader effort to expand domestic manufacturing of the Rafale – widely regarded as the most advanced fighter jet in the Indian Air Force's arsenal.
A new facility in the southern city of Hyderabad will supply the fuselages to India and the international market.
The development last week came days after India's Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh warned of significant delays in defence procurement manufacturing. India and Pakistan had recently been engaged in armed conflict that was led by aerial attacks.
During the clashes, both sides claimed to have shot down rival aircraft, though the extent of damage suffered remains unsubstantiated. India, the world's biggest arms importer, has been looking to step up domestic production and boost defence exports.
Advertisement
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighters. India also signed a deal in April with France – its second-largest arms supplier – to buy 26 naval versions of the jets for US$7 billion, which are expected to be delivered by 2030.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'
US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'

South China Morning Post

timean hour ago

  • South China Morning Post

US tariffs hit China's exports in May, but June seen as ‘a better month'

China's export growth slowed last month, weighed down by fewer US orders being made before the two countries came to a 90-day tariff truce. Advertisement And while June's prospects look poised to improve, China's manufacturing and trade sectors remain under strain, according to economists, who also point to lingering uncertainties over American tariffs. China's May exports were up by 4.8 per cent, year on year, to US$316.1 billion, customs data showed on Monday. The figure followed April's 8.1 per cent growth and fell short of the estimate of a 6.28 per cent increase in a market survey by Chinese financial data provider Wind. Exports to the United States plunged by 34.52 per cent, sharper than the 21 per cent drop seen in April, owing to the trade war between the two countries. Advertisement

China turns to robots for elderly care with national pilot programme
China turns to robots for elderly care with national pilot programme

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

China turns to robots for elderly care with national pilot programme

China has launched a pilot programme aimed at accelerating the deployment of robots to alleviate the pressure of elderly care, as the nation grapples with a rapidly ageing population and a labour shortage. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, issued a notice on Monday inviting organisations to participate in pilot projects. The initiative aims to enhance the integration of robotics into smart elderly care. The programme 'primarily focuses on improving the quality of life for senior citizens, reducing the caregiving burden on families, addressing labour shortages in communities and institutional care, and enhancing the overall elderly care infrastructure', according to the notice. It outlines three areas of elderly care: home, community and institutional settings. Applications include assisting disabled or cognitively impaired people, providing emotional support, improving health, enabling smart homes and helping with daily activities. 03:31 Ageing Japan turns to AI robots to care for the elderly Ageing Japan turns to AI robots to care for the elderly UBTech Robotics , The initiative comes as an increasing number of Chinese robot manufacturers – such as Unitree Robotics Fourier and AgiBot – invest in developing humanoid machines for home use, despite the expected challenges compared to deploying robots in industrial settings.

Hong Kong lawmakers call for TV stations to show more English-language content
Hong Kong lawmakers call for TV stations to show more English-language content

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong lawmakers call for TV stations to show more English-language content

Hong Kong's broadcast watchdog has been asked to require TV stations to produce more local programmes on their English channels to 'tell good Hong Kong stories' to expats and visitors. Advertisement Stations are permitted to have up to 45 per cent of their English-channel content be in other languages, a threshold some lawmakers said on Monday was too high and at odds with Hong Kong's role as an international city. Some legislators also urged the government to sponsor TV stations to produce dramas promoting national security and education, while others called for loosening restrictions on TV commercials or product placements to help broadcasters survive in the new media era. The views were raised at a meeting of the Legislative Council's panel on information technology and broadcasting, at which officials briefed lawmakers on the coming renewal of the three domestic free-to-air TV service licences. Non-affiliated lawmaker Chan Siu-hung said: 'Hong Kong is an international city, but there are not enough English programmes. Most of them are about financial markets or current affairs. We should allow expats here more choices.' Advertisement Sharing a similar view, Eunice Yung Hoi-yan of the New People's Party said: 'Most of the English programmes are bought from overseas. Travellers switching to a local English TV channel could end up watching programmes they have already watched in their home places.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store