New Delhi, Feb. 13 -- Following the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) nod to the proposal to buy 114 Rafale Fighter Jets, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday emphasised that Rafale aircraft will be manufactured outside France for the first time, with 40 to 50 per cent localisation under the 'Make in India' programme.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said the programme is being implemented through a government-to-government agreement with no intermediaries and full transparency. He added that it will allow the integration of Indian weapons and systems on the aircraft, which he described as a key feature of the project.

"For the first time, Rafale aircraft will be manufactured outside France with significant levels of localisation. We ...