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India’s air power debate often focuses on fighters and missiles, but the real foundation of military effectiveness is logistics. With limited C‑17 numbers, aging IL‑76 fleets, and no reliable global alternatives, India faces a growing strategic airlift gap. This article explains why developing an indigenous heavy transport aircraft has become a national security necessity.

Defence agreements can either accelerate national power—or poison it. China exploited licensed production to leapfrog generations of military technology, while India chose a slower, law-abiding path that earned global trust but delayed capability. Which strategy truly wins in the long run?

India’s decision to induct 114 Rafale fighter jets secures immediate operational readiness, but simultaneous indigenous programs like ORCA and TEDEDF raise critical questions about long-term aerospace sovereignty and industrial strategy.