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India set for Rafale fighter jets deal
A Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal to buy 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft programme is likely be unveiled by the Defence Ministry this week, days before French President Emmanuel Macron visits Delhi, according to recent reports.
About the Rafale fighter jets deal
As reported by NDTV, under the long-pending Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft programme, India is preparing to clear the purchase of 114 Rafale F4 multirole fighters from France through a government-to-government arrangement estimated at around Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
The proposal is soon expected to receive approval from the Defence Acquisition Council for contract finalisation during the French President’s visit to India later this month.
India is close to approving the most expensive and strategically consequential fighter aircraft acquisition in its history, shaping the Indian Air Force’s combat capability well into the middle of the century.
If executed, the deal will not only address the Indian Air Force’s urgent need for new fighters but also enable India to become a major global production, maintenance and upgrade hub for one of the world’s most capable combat aircraft.
The agreement involves the induction of 114 Rafale F4 fighters for the Indian Air Force. The planned fleet has 88 single-seat aircraft and 26 twin-seat trainer variants, configured exclusively for land-based air operations.
This acquisition is distinct from the Indian Navy’s separate requirement, which is being addressed through an independent contract for Rafale-Marine fighters meant for aircraft carrier operations. The MRFA programme is exclusively aimed at reinforcing the Indian Air Force’s combat squadrons.
The headline cost goes well beyond the jets themselves. It factors in advanced weapon systems, simulators, spares, training infrastructure, upgrades, industrial facilities, and long-term maintenance and support. As a result, the programme represents a comprehensive capability-building effort rather than a straightforward aircraft purchase.
Once all deliveries are completed, the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet is projected to grow to nearly 150 aircraft. When combined with the Navy’s planned induction of 26 Rafale-M jets, India will operate approximately 176 Rafales in total, making it the largest Rafale operator in the world, surpassing even France.
A defining element of the deal is its phased delivery model, designed to balance immediate operational requirements with longer-term indigenisation goals. The first batch of 18 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition, fully manufactured in France and ready for immediate service. These aircraft are expected to start arriving around 2030, helping the Air Force stabilise its squadron strength without waiting for domestic production lines to come online.
The remaining 96 aircraft will be produced in India under a licensed manufacturing arrangement. Final assembly will take place at the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited facility in Nagpur, which has since become a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation.
In the long run, the Nagpur facility is expected to assume a broader role within Dassault’s global Rafale ecosystem, positioning India as an important manufacturing and sustainment hub for the platform.