New Delhi – The India Rafale fighter jets deal is set to take a significant step forward as the Indian Air Force‘s proposal to purchase 114 additional multi-role combat aircraft will be presented before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India. This major defense acquisition represents a crucial modernization effort for India’s air combat capabilities.
Strategic Timing With Macron’s India Visit
The timing of the India Rafale fighter jets deal deliberations holds particular significance as President Macron is scheduled to visit India from February 15 to 17 for an AI Summit in New Delhi. The DAC, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will consider granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for this substantial military procurement, demonstrating the strengthening defense partnership between India and France.
Under India’s defense procurement rules, the AoN from the council represents the first formal step in the acquisition process for military equipment. The proposal has already received approval from the Defence Procurement Board, marking important progress in the India Rafale fighter jets deal timeline.
Two-Phase Acquisition Strategy
The India Rafale fighter jets deal features a strategic two-phase acquisition approach designed to balance immediate operational requirements with long-term indigenous manufacturing capabilities. According to the proposal, India will purchase 18 Rafale aircraft off-the-shelf directly from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, ensuring rapid deployment to address current fleet shortfalls.
The remaining 96 fighter jets under the India Rafale fighter jets deal will be manufactured in India through partnerships with private sector companies, aligning with the government’s Make in India initiative. This domestic production component represents a significant boost to India’s aerospace manufacturing sector and will create thousands of high-skilled jobs while developing critical technological capabilities.
A number of these aircraft will be twin-seater variants specifically configured for training purposes, ensuring the Indian Air Force can efficiently prepare pilots for operating these advanced multi-role combat platforms.
Approval Process and Next Steps
The Defence Procurement Board, headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, granted approval to the India Rafale fighter jets deal proposal last month. Following the DAC’s expected nod, the next phase involves commercial negotiations with Dassault Aviation and potential Indian manufacturing partners.
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After commercial negotiations conclude, the India Rafale fighter jets deal will require final clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This multi-layered approval process ensures thorough scrutiny of the massive defense acquisition from financial, strategic, and operational perspectives.
Financial Implications
Officials have indicated that the overall capability boost from the proposed 114-aircraft acquisition under the India Rafale fighter jets deal could cost approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore, making it one of India’s largest defense procurement projects. This substantial investment reflects the critical importance placed on modernizing and expanding the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet to meet current and future security challenges.
Proven Combat Performance
The India Rafale fighter jets deal builds upon the successful operational deployment of 36 Rafale aircraft already in service with the Indian Air Force. These existing fighters demonstrated exceptional combat effectiveness during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, playing key roles in strikes against terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The Rafale jets’ advanced weapons systems, including Scalp missiles, Meteor air-to-air missiles, and Hammer precision-guided bombs, proved devastatingly effective. During the operation, these weapons not only destroyed terror bases in Pakistan but also Pakistani aircraft, validating the platform’s combat superiority.
Air Chief’s Strong Advocacy
Last October, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh made a compelling case for faster induction of new military hardware into the air force, specifically highlighting the India Rafale fighter jets deal as a priority. He emphasized that the Rafale was among the top options to strengthen the IAF’s combat fleet while underlining the operational requirement for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft.
The Air Chief specifically stressed the importance of the India Rafale fighter jets deal being manufactured in India through partnerships between foreign original equipment manufacturers and Indian companies, ensuring technology transfer and building domestic aerospace capabilities.
Strategic Capability Enhancement
The India Rafale fighter jets deal addresses the Indian Air Force’s critical need to maintain an adequate squadron strength amid the retirement of aging aircraft. The Rafale’s multi-role capabilities allow it to perform air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear strike missions, providing exceptional operational flexibility.
Equipped with cutting-edge avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, the Rafale represents fourth-generation-plus technology that will significantly enhance India’s air combat capabilities against potential adversaries. The aircraft’s proven performance in various global conflicts and its selection by multiple air forces worldwide validate its operational excellence.
Make in India Success Story
The domestic manufacturing component of the India Rafale fighter jets deal represents a major milestone in India’s defense industrialization journey. By producing 96 aircraft locally, India will develop critical aerospace manufacturing expertise, establish supply chains, and create a skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced fighter aircraft production.
This India Rafale fighter jets deal demonstrates France’s commitment to meaningful technology partnerships with India, going beyond simple buy-and-fly arrangements to support India’s strategic autonomy in defense manufacturing.
