India is likely to move forward with a significant defense procurement proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, with discussions anticipated next week ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to New Delhi. The proposal, estimated at ₹3.25 lakh crore, has already received initial approval from the Defence Procurement Board last month. A high-level meeting of the defense ministry is expected to address the matter, deeming it critical for meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) given the current regional security scenario.
The IAF currently operates approximately 30 fighter squadrons, which is below the sanctioned strength of 42. This shortfall has been further exacerbated by the retirement of the MiG-21 fleet. Indian officials have expressed growing concerns over rising threat perceptions, citing increasing collaboration between Pakistan and China, as well as between Pakistan and Bangladesh, as key factors driving the urgency to acquire the French jets.
The acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets is expected to provide the IAF with a 4.5-generation-plus multirole fighter platform for the long term, enhancing both air superiority and strike capabilities. The proposal includes the purchase of 18 aircraft in fly-away condition, while the remaining jets will be manufactured in India, featuring up to 60% indigenous content. Approximately 80% of the Rafale jets are planned to be manufactured in India through a collaboration between Dassault Aviation and Indian private companies. Under the project, the IAF is slated to receive 88 single-seater and 26 twin-seater aircraft.
Once the deal is finalized, the IAF's Rafale fleet would expand to a total of 150 aircraft. In addition, the Indian Navy is expected to acquire 26 carrier-compatible Rafales. The Rafale is a twin-engine, 4.5-generation multirole fighter capable of performing air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions. It boasts advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and a diverse array of precision weapons.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India from February 18 to 20 to attend the AI summit. The Rafale fighter aircraft proposal is expected to be a key topic during the high-level bilateral discussions. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to convene in the coming week to consider the proposal, potentially granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement. Following this, formal technical and commercial negotiations will commence.