The Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets under a “Made in India” collaboration between French manufacturer Dassault Aviation and Indian aerospace firms. Valued at over Rs 2 lakh crore, this would be one of the biggest defence deals in India’s history.
Defence Ministry Review Underway
According to officials, the defence ministry has already begun examining the IAF’s proposal. The project is expected to go before the Defence Procurement Board, chaired by the Defence Secretary, in the coming weeks. If cleared, the proposal will then move to the Defence Acquisition Council for final approval.
Boost to Indigenous Manufacturing
Over 60 percent of the deal’s content will be indigenous, strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Indian partners, including Tata, are expected to play a key role in production. Dassault will also set up a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub for Rafale’s M-88 engines in Hyderabad, adding to India’s existing aviation infrastructure.
Expanding Rafale Fleet
India has already inducted 36 Rafales through a government-to-government deal and ordered 36 more for the Indian Navy. Once the 114 jets are built in India, the total number of Rafales in service will rise to 176. The new fighters will join the IAF’s Su-30 MKIs and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, while complementing the indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet project planned beyond 2035.
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
The Rafale’s performance during Operation Sindoor has been a key factor in the IAF’s push for expansion. The aircraft demonstrated its strength by countering China’s PL-15 air-to-air missiles using the advanced Spectra electronic warfare system. Future India-built Rafales are also expected to carry longer-range air-to-ground missiles, surpassing the Scalp missiles used during the Balakot strikes.
