Why do we need tech transfer for 72 Rafales? Just buy them off the shelf & maintain it here the same way we do Mirage 2K. What is wrong with that scenario?
The tech transfer is generally helpful for HAL and other DRDO labs to get their hands on manufacturing know-how that they otherwise lack. Jaguar ToT took HAL's manufacturing to a much higher degree than the production of MiGs did. Then Su-30MKI took them to a notch higher, but it was still below Western standards for 4th gen fighters. HAL still does overhauls for all Mirage-2000s, and it is the only OEM outside of Dassault that is certified for the same. HAL engineers learn from all these things.
But the biggest learning has no doubt been the Tejas program. The Tejas assembly line is completely indigenous and with it, HAL has jumped several notches to a point where they are not that far behind the Western OEMs. Most of the production techniques used for manufacturing 4th gen fighters with their tight tolerances and ICP (Interchangeability) standards are already in place. The best learning experience is, as it always is, doing it yourself.
Rafale production may help bring in more automation and reduce the man-hours that HAL expends on each fighter. It will definitely be very useful in cutting down labour hours, but I'm not sure it'll do much more.
I personally also feel that 54 more Rafales should be just ordered off the shelf and MRFA laid to rest.
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