Although it has been known for sometime that Dassault has been questioning the ability of Hindustan Aeronautica Limited (HAL) to produce the Rafale fighter locally, NDTV now has the details on what the shortcomings identified by the French manufacturer.
Dassault is working with HAL to ensure that the latter can produce carbon-fibre composites needed for the plane using an automated process. Currently, HAL had to use a manual technique for the production of materials.
HAL also needs to change the working culture at its radar lab in order to churn out the RBE-2 AESA radar in satisfactory quality.
Thirdly, France wants an assurance that the engineers they train remain deployed and committed to the manufacture of the Rafale.