The Ministry of Defence has officially received a proposal from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the procurement of 114 indigenously manufactured Rafale fighter jets, a deal projected to exceed ₹2 lakh crore. This initiative will see collaboration with French aerospace leader Dassault Aviation, along with partnerships with Indian defence manufacturers to ensure over 60% indigenous content.
Defence officials reported that the IAF has submitted a “Statement of Case” to the ministry, which is currently under review by multiple departments, including Defence Finance. Following this evaluation, the proposal is set to be presented to the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), led by the Defence Secretary, before moving to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for final approval.
Should the proposal receive the green light, it will mark India’s largest defence procurement initiative to date. The additional Rafale jets will enhance the IAF’s capabilities, bringing its total Rafale fleet to 176 fighters, which includes the 36 aircraft already operational and the 36 ordered by the Indian Navy under previous government agreements.
The request for more Rafales has emerged notably following the jets’ commendable performance during Operation Sindoor. Equipped with the cutting-edge Spectra electronic warfare suite, the Rafales managed to outperform Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles and accurately target high-value assets in Pakistan.
The proposed new batch of Rafales is expected to include advanced functionalities, such as long-range air-to-ground missiles that exceed the current Scalp systems. Besides enhancing combat capabilities, Dassault is also planning to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale’s M-88 engines in Hyderabad, further contributing to India’s aerospace industry.
Indian defence enterprises, including prominent players like Tata, are anticipated to be integral to the manufacturing process. In light of escalating regional threats, the IAF’s urgent need to bolster its combat fleet is underscored by the upcoming induction of Rafales, along with existing Su-30 MKIs and future LCA Mark1A jets, which are poised to collectively reinforce India’s aerial strength.
In addition to the Rafale procurement, India has arranged for 180 LCA Mark1A fighters and looks to integrate significant numbers of its indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft beyond the year 2035.
