# P-8I

India Moves to Buy 114 Rafales in Sweeping Defence Purchase, Raising Questions Over Cost and Strategy

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has provisionally approved a major procurement package that reportedly includes 114 Dassault Rafale fighters and P‑8I maritime patrol aircraft, part of a broader plan cited at roughly 3.6 trillion rupees. The move would rapidly bolster India’s air and maritime capabilities while reigniting debate over cost, procurement transparency and the balance between imports and domestic defence industry development.