India's Fighter Jet Acquisitions: Rafale Deal and US Jet Procurement Choices

India has procured 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, with plans for domestic manufacturing and technology transfer, though France denies sharing critical source codes, limiting India's software autonomy. Despite expanding defence ties with the US and acquiring platforms like Apaches and P-8Is, India has consistently declined American fighter jets, largely due to historical Cold War alignments favoring Soviet and European aircraft. This reflects India's strategic preference for autonomy and established partnerships amid regional security challenges.