The Defence Ministry is expected to approve a landmark Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal this week for the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, according to sources familiar with the development.
The timing of the clearance is significant, as it is slated ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to India.
Once the Defence Ministry signs off on the proposal, it will be forwarded for the next stage of approval. The matter will then be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for final authorisation.
Under the proposed agreement, India will procure 18 Rafale aircraft directly from French defence manufacturer Dassault Aviation in ready-to-fly condition.
The remaining 96 jets will be manufactured within India under a strategic partnership. This move will reinforce the government’s focus on achieving self-reliance in defence production.
The plan also includes twin-seat variants to support pilot training.
A key feature of the deal is the transfer of cutting-edge fighter aircraft technology, aimed at strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Existing Rafale Fleet in Service
The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets across two squadrons, with the final ‘C’ variant delivered in December 2024.
Separately, the Indian Navy has ordered 26 Rafale ‘M’ carrier-based fighters under a Rs 63,000 crore agreement.
These naval aircraft will be deployed on board INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The contract also includes maintenance, logistics support, and crew training under a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) arrangement.
Rafale jets have demonstrated their operational effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. They were used to carry out precision strikes inside Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack last year.
The aircraft deployed SCALP cruise missiles capable of striking fortified targets beyond a range of 250 km. They were also equipped with Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, Hammer precision-guided weapons, and the advanced Spectra electronic warfare system.
India and France have also concluded major production transfer agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.
As part of this collaboration, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is planned in Hyderabad.
The first aircraft fuselage sections are expected to be produced by 2028.
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