India has taken a major step toward strengthening its air power by formally initiating the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets in a deal estimated at ₹3.25 lakh crore. As part of the process, Indian Air Force Chief A. P. Singh is on a four-day visit to France, where he will hold discussions with senior military officials and representatives of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale jets.
The move follows the Ministry of Defence’s issuance of a Letter of Request to the French government, officially launching one of the Indian Air Force’s largest-ever fighter aircraft procurement programs. France is expected to respond within the next two to three months, with negotiations likely to be completed within a year.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighters acquired under the 2016 India-France agreement. However, with only 29 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42, the IAF is looking to bridge a critical capability gap.
Under the proposed deal, around 90 to 94 aircraft will be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company under the Make in India initiative. The remaining jets will be delivered directly from France.
The project is expected to achieve nearly 50% localization and would mark the first time Rafale fighter jets are produced outside France. The deal is also expected to enable the integration of indigenous weapons and systems, significantly boosting India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and operational capabilities.
