India has laid down non-negotiable clauses for French plane maker Dassault on the process, including the level of transfer of technology, for making the next tranche of 114 Rafale fighter jets in India.Sources told The Tribune that non-negotiables include integration of Indian weapons, missiles and ammunition on all 114 jets; the plane maker will provide secure data links to allow digital integration of the jets with Indian radars and sensors sending imagery to ground-based controllers.These two clauses look innocuous but need the plane maker to weave in a seamless command system for weapons and also for sending and receiving data. This will need the plane maker to introduce changes to the software of the onboard computing system of the jet.Also the plane maker will be providing transfer of technology (ToT) for making air frames. Its suppliers like engine maker Safran and avionics provider Thales will be part of the ToT. The indigenous content is expected to be between 55 per cent and 60 per cent once ToT for air frames, engines and avionics is done.Avionics, weapons and missiles on the Rafale have been upgraded since IAF ordered its fleet of 36 in 2015. The IAF flies what is the ‘F3R’ version of the plane, same as the French air force. Dassault Aviation has introduced the ‘F-4’ version – an upgrade. India is seeking a mix of the ‘F-4’ version and upcoming ‘F-5’ version.The upgrade includes next generation of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for longer detection range and improved resilience to electronic warfare. It is to have a better self-protection system to detect and counter new and emerging threats. Capabilities would include better long-range detection and identification of enemy threats backed by missiles with longer ranges. It is to be mated with better satellite links and even have artificial intelligence algorithms to assist the pilot with improved situational awareness and decision-making.The Ministry of Defence is set to finalise the $8 billion deal for filing gaps in air power. The Tribune was the first to report in its edition dated September 12, 2025, that the Indian Air Force had moved a formal proposal seeking 114 of these jets.The jets will be available under the ‘Make in India’ scheme with Dassault aviation partnering an Indian firm. In September last year, Dassault increased its shareholding in Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) from 49 per cent to 51 per cent, making the joint venture a majority-owned subsidiary of the French company. Anil Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure is the partner in DRAL.The IAF already flies 36 Rafale jets while the Navy ordered 26 of the marine variant of same jet. Adding more numbers is expected to reduce maintenance costs. A Rafale flight training and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility is functioning at the IAF base at Ambala. French engine maker Safran, in June last year, announced an MRO hub for its engines in Hyderabad.The IAF needs to quickly induct more jets. The number of squadrons are down to 29, the lowest combat strength in the past six decades.