India, Aug. 22 -- India has opened talks with France on joining its Future Combat Air System programme, according to the Defence Ministry here, in a bid to secure a foothold in sixth-generation fighter jet technology as New Delhi moves to finalise the purchase of 114 additional Dassault Rafale aircraft from Paris.

India's Defence Ministry told parliament this month that it had "initiated efforts in a concerted manner to co-join" the French-led effort, marking the most direct public acknowledgement yet of its ambitions to secure a role in next-generation air combat development, an area in which officials and analysts say India risks falling further behind regional rivals.

Dassault Rafale: What Is India Trying To Join And Why Now?

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