India set to approve historic Rafale fighter jet deal

India is set to approve a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale jets, with 100 built in India under tech transfer, boosting ‘Make in India’ and expanding IAF strength

India is poised to finalize its largest-ever defence procurement, with the Defence Ministry expected to approve a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France this week. The announcement comes just ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Delhi, underscoring the strategic depth of Indo-French defence ties.

Scale and Significance

Once cleared, the deal will surpass all previous arms contracts, positioning India as one of the largest non-French operators of the Rafale. Crucially, the agreement includes provisions for manufacturing nearly 100 jets in India, alongside technology transfer, strengthening the government’s ‘Make in India’ programme.

Current Fleet and Deployment

India already operates 36 Rafale ‘C’ variants, with the last delivered in December 2024. The Air Force has deployed them with No. 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) in Ambala and No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) in Hasimara, Bengal. The Navy has separately ordered 26 Rafale ‘M’ variants worth ₹63,000 crore, to be deployed on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

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Combat Experience

Rafales have already proven their mettle in Indian operations, notably during Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Armed with SCALP cruise missiles, Meteor air-to-air missiles, and advanced electronic warfare suites, the jets demonstrated precision strike capability and air superiority.

Technology Transfer and Production

In June 2025, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd signed landmark agreements to accelerate production. Tata will establish a manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, producing key fuselage components. The first India-assembled Rafale is expected by 2028, with a target of two aircraft per month, while final assembly will continue at Dassault’s Merignac facility in France.

Future Outlook

Alongside Rafale induction, the Navy is preparing to field indigenous fifth-generation deck-based fighters being developed by DRDO, complementing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme for the Air Force.

This landmark Rafale deal not only enhances India’s combat readiness but also cements its role as a major hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing.

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