The Ministry of Defence has begun reviewing a major proposal from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets, to be manufactured in India under a strategic partnership with French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and domestic partners. The deal, pegged at over ₹2 lakh crore, is expected to be the largest defence procurement in India’s history.
According to defence officials, the IAF’s Statement of Case (SoC) was submitted to the ministry earlier this week. It is currently under evaluation by various wings, including Defence Finance, before being forwarded to the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) and subsequently the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval.
The proposed deal would add to India’s existing Rafale fleet, taking the total strength to 176 aircraft. The IAF has already inducted 36 Rafales, while the Indian Navy has also placed orders for 36 jets through earlier government-to-government agreements.
Officials said that the Made in India Rafales would include over 60% indigenous content, with Indian firms such as Tata Advanced Systems expected to play a significant role in manufacturing. Dassault is also planning to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Rafale’s M-88 engines in Hyderabad, strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem.
The new Rafales are likely to be equipped with longer-range air-to-ground missiles than the existing Scalp systems, which proved highly effective during Operation Sindoor, where Rafales outperformed advanced Chinese PL-15 missiles using their Spectra Electronic Warfare Suite.
Defence analysts say the acquisition is crucial as India seeks to strengthen its fighter jet fleet amidst rising regional security challenges. The future structure of the IAF is expected to rest on a mix of Su-30 MKIs, Rafales, and indigenous fighters such as the LCA Mark1A and the upcoming fifth-generation combat aircraft set for induction after 2035.
If cleared, this mega defence deal will mark a turning point for India’s aerospace self-reliance and significantly boost the country’s combat capabilities.
