India demands ICD access in Rafale deal

India has taken a firm stance in negotiations with France for the purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, a deal valued at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore ($43 billion). The Indian government has declared access to the aircraft's Interface Control Document (ICD) a non-negotiable condition for the sale. Possession of the ICD would allow India to independently integrate its own indigenous weapons systems, such as the Astra and Rudram missiles, rather than relying on France for future armament upgrades. Without this technical sovereignty, India has signaled it is prepared to walk away from the massive defense procurement entirely.