India approves Rs 3.25 lakh crore Rafale fighter jet deal for 114 aircraft, boosting Indian Air Force strength, advancing Make in India defence manufacturing, and deepening strategic ties with France ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s Delhi visit.
The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved a massive Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to reliable sources. The proposal received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The clearance marks one of the largest defence procurement decisions in recent years and comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s forthcoming official visit to New Delhi, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between India and France.
Cabinet Committee on Security to Take Final Call
Following the Defence Ministry’s approval, the proposal will now be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for final clearance. Once approved, the deal will formally move toward contract negotiations and implementation.
Under the proposal, India will acquire 18 Rafale fighter jets in fly-away condition directly from French defence major Dassault Aviation. The remaining 96 aircraft will be manufactured in India as part of a major technology transfer and strategic industrial partnership. Several of the aircraft will be twin-seater variants, primarily intended for pilot training and advanced operational requirements.
Big Push to ‘Make in India’ in Defence
The deal is expected to significantly strengthen India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. The technology transfer component and local production arrangement are designed to give a substantial boost to the government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector.
In June last year, India and France announced four landmark production transfer agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). These agreements aim to accelerate production timelines and enhance India’s domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Tata Advanced Systems is set to establish a state-of-the-art production facility in Hyderabad. The facility will manufacture critical structural components of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section of the aircraft. According to officials, the first fuselage segments are expected to roll off the production line in 2028.
Existing Rafale Fleet and Naval Variant
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighter jets, forming two fully operational squadrons. The final delivery of the ‘C’ variant was completed in December 2024. These aircraft have significantly enhanced the IAF’s operational readiness along both western and northern fronts.
In addition, India has signed a separate Rs 63,000 crore deal to procure 26 Rafale ‘M’ (Marine) variants for the Indian Navy. These naval jets will operate from India’s aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The naval contract includes comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support, logistics assistance, and personnel training arrangements to ensure long-term operational sustainability.
Combat Proven Capabilities
The Rafale jets have already demonstrated their operational effectiveness. During Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May last year, Rafale aircraft were deployed to strike precision targets in Pakistan. The jets reportedly launched SCALP air-launched cruise missiles capable of hitting hardened targets at ranges exceeding 250 kilometres with exceptional accuracy.
The Rafale is equipped with advanced weapon systems, including the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, the Hammer stand-off precision-guided weapon, and the Spectra electronic warfare suite. It also features cutting-edge radar and targeting systems, making it one of the most versatile and lethal multi-role fighter aircraft in the world.
Strategic and Geopolitical Significance
The approval of the 114-aircraft deal is expected to substantially enhance India’s air superiority and deterrence posture amid evolving regional security challenges. With aging fighter squadrons gradually being phased out, the induction of additional Rafales will help bridge capability gaps and maintain the IAF’s operational edge.
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The deal also reinforces India-France defence cooperation, which has grown steadily over the past decade through joint exercises, technology partnerships, and high-value defence contracts.
As the proposal moves to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval, the Rs 3.25 lakh crore Rafale deal stands poised to become a transformative milestone in India’s defence modernization journey.
