India is reportedly planning to strengthen its defence capabilities by ensuring that locally developed missiles and weapon systems can be integrated into the proposed ₹3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
The proposal is part of a broader effort to boost domestic defence manufacturing, with a large portion of the aircraft expected to be produced in India under the Make in India framework. Out of the total order, 18 jets would come directly from France, while the remaining 96 are planned for local production with significant indigenous content.
A key focus of the deal is the inclusion of an Interface Control Document (ICD) in the final agreement. This would ensure that Indian-made weapons and systems can work seamlessly with the Rafale platform, strengthening operational flexibility for the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft are expected to be based on advanced Rafale F4 and F5 standards, enhancing their combat and strike capabilities. However, the core software and source codes of the aircraft will remain under French control, as per existing agreements.
The deal, cleared in principle by the Defence Acquisition Council, involves the procurement of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft and is expected to be one of India’s largest defence purchases. Officials are also exploring increasing indigenous content over time, potentially reaching up to 60 percent in later phases.
Once the Request for Proposal is issued, formal negotiations with Dassault Aviation will begin, paving the way for one of the most significant upgrades to the Indian Air Force’s long-range precision strike capability.
