Thales has announced the deployment of a permanent representative at Ambala Air Base to facilitate the maintenance of India’s Rafale fleet, marking a significant advancement in ensuring the aircraft’s operational readiness. This initiative underscores the aircraft’s reliance on sophisticated French electronic systems, including the RBE2 AESA radar and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, which are crucial for effective combat operations. The presence of Thales personnel will enhance real-time diagnostics and expedite repair cycles, thereby improving sortie readiness across India’s combat squadrons. This development highlights the ongoing need for collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the short term while emphasizing the necessity for India to develop indigenous capabilities through technology transfers and upgrades to reduce dependence on foreign systems.