France and India Negotiated Rafale Radar Localization
The deal aims to shift 50% of RBE2 radar production to Indian suppliers by increasing domestic subsystem sourcing.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Semiconductors
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France and India have entered negotiations to localize the manufacturing of RBE2 AESA radar components for the Rafale F4 Plus fighter jet program. This plan targets 50% domestic production for the radar systems, supporting a broader Indian initiative to localize 60% of total aircraft components.
Why it matters
The move aims to expand India's domestic semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing base by integrating local suppliers into a high-end defense supply chain. Currently, France maintains full control over the radar software architecture, limiting the depth of technology transfer.
The current program involves 90 Rafale F4 Plus jets, with the radar utilizing Gallium Arsenide technology. While Indian firms produce transmit/receive modules, France retains sole control over the underlying software architecture.
The players
Thales
A French aerospace and defense firm specializing in radar, communication systems, and electronic combat suites.
BEL
An Indian state-owned electronics manufacturer focusing on defense communication and radar systems.
SFO Technologies
An Indian engineering firm that provides complex wired structures and electronic manufacturing services.
The details
The program relies on integrating Indian-made transmit/receive modules, components that send and receive radio signals in the radar, and wired structures into the final assembly. Thales plans to extend this to include the production of line-replaceable units, which are modular components designed for quick replacement in the field. The radar currently relies on Gallium Arsenide, a semiconductor material used for high-frequency radio applications, while future iterations like the RBE2-XG are slated to move toward Gallium Nitride technology.
Timeline
2026: Funding for Rafale F5 radar technology was cleared.
The Tech Race
This effort marks an attempt to bridge the gap between imported defense technology and indigenous manufacturing capabilities. It follows the roadmap toward the future Rafale F5 variant, which will transition to Gallium Nitride radar hardware.
The deal targets the production of 114 total Rafale jets, impacting the workload of specialized aerospace manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Kochi. Industry suppliers must now align with French quality standards for radar line replaceable units to secure their role in the F4 Plus program.
The takeaway
This negotiation highlights the tension between defense technology sovereignty and the desire for domestic industrial growth in aerospace electronics. Observers should track the upcoming production milestones for the RBE2-XG radar to see if the technology transfer scope expands for the F5 variant.
Further reading
Explore deeper into the shifting landscape of hardware production in our Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idrw.
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