During the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on February 17, 2026, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly advocated for increased local manufacturing in the proposed deal for 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
Meeting with his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, Singh requested that the share of India-made components be increased to at least 50%.
He also stressed the importance of manufacturing and overhauling the aircraft's engines domestically, which would...
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Following the recent milestone approval by India's Defence Acquisition Council on 12 February 2026, the monumental $36 billion procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets is poised to revolutionise both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and global aerospace manufacturing.
Under this sweeping Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, approximately 90 to 96 of these advanced combat aircraft will be constructed locally at the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in...
India’s prospective purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme represents more than a simple numerical boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Recent reports indicate that the concluding squadrons of this massive ₹3.25 lakh crore deal could be supplied in the cutting-edge F5 configuration.
Out of the 114 jets, while the majority are expected to be the F4 variant, the final 24 could be delivered as the next-generation F5 standard...
India’s strategic initiative to procure 114 additional Rafale fighter jets has gained significant momentum following recent clarifications from Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The proposed acquisition is set to mirror the successful 2016 government-to-government (G2G) deal for 36 aircraft, ensuring a streamlined process while substantially boosting the nation’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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A Proven G2G Framework
The upcoming procurement of 114 jets will adhere to the...
The development of India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet has reached a critical juncture, with new details surfacing regarding its production timeline.
According to a senior official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), who requested anonymity, the agency aims to unveil the first prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by late 2028.
This target is contingent upon meeting key assembly deadlines. Following this initial rollout, the subsequent prototypes...
In a landmark event for Indian aerospace capability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed a successful full afterburner test of the indigenous Kaveri engine earlier this week.
The test, conducted at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru on February 16, marks a critical step forward in India’s quest to develop its own high-performance jet engines for combat aircraft.
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A New Spark with BrahMos Technology
For decades, the Kaveri programme faced a persistent technical...
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has long warned that its fighter squadron strength is falling to critically low levels. With the current strength hovering around 30 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, the need to induct new jets is urgent.
While the vision of inducting 40 jets annually may not be fully realised by the current leadership, the industrial foundation being laid today promises to help the next Chief of Air Staff turn this ambitious target into reality.
Recent developments...
India’s strategic defence partnership with France appears poised for a major expansion. A recent report by the French financial daily La Tribune indicates that New Delhi is considering a new order for 31 Dassault Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
This potential acquisition is reportedly being discussed alongside the progress of the Indian Air Force’s separate procurement program for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft.
If this new proposal is approved, it would...
India’s ambition to secure deeper technological control over its fighter fleet has encountered a significant hurdle in the ongoing negotiations for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).
According to a new report by the French business outlet L’Essentiel de l’Éco, Paris has firmly ruled out transferring the critical source codes for the Rafale jet’s primary electronic systems.
This restriction extends to the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite—the aircraft’s "digital shield" against enemy...
Recent clarifications from Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh have provided renewed transparency and confidence regarding India’s strategic plan to procure additional Rafale fighter jets.
While various media outlets had speculated about reduced levels of domestic involvement, the Defence Secretary has firmly corrected these narratives.
He addressed the specifics of the upcoming 'Make in India' Rafale programme, dismissing earlier misconceptions and underscoring the government's robust...
India’s ambitious plans to develop next-generation fighter aircraft have triggered a flurry of activity among global aerospace giants, with British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Holdings emerging as a determined contender.
While current industry trends suggest that French firm Safran is the frontrunner for the high-profile Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) propulsion contract, sources indicate that Rolls-Royce has presented a comprehensive alternative proposal.
This new offer...
India’s drive to achieve deeper self-reliance in combat aviation is accelerating rapidly. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to accept the initial batch of the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
These units are designated for integration into the second tranche of Tejas Mk1A fighters and trainers, a significant order placed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) last year.
This progression constitutes a watershed moment for the nation’s aerospace sector...
In a significant development for India’s self-reliance in the defence sector, Baba Kalyani, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Kalyani Group—parent company of Bharat Forge—has unveiled the company’s extensive roadmap for the future.
Speaking recently to Chakra NewZ, Mr. Kalyani disclosed that the conglomerate is currently developing a staggering portfolio of 50 new products.
This massive undertaking is designed to provide comprehensive, home-grown solutions for the Indian Army...
The Indian Navy’s quest for a home-grown deck-based fighter is arriving at its most critical juncture.
The Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) programme, an ambitious initiative to develop a carrier-borne combat aircraft, is slated to undergo its Critical Design Review (CDR) this year.
This phase marks the vital shift from theoretical design to detailed engineering.
However, for the Indian defence ecosystem, this is more than a technical procedure; it is a strategic crossroads that...
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has formally refuted recent media speculation claiming that the state-owned aerospace major has been finalised as the Indian production partner for the procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
The clarification was issued in response to a report published by The Times of India on 13 February 2026. The report, describing the acquisition as the "mother of all defence deals," alleged that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had cleared the path for...
The Indian government has moved decisively to address the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter squadron shortage, with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently granting approval for the procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
This monumental decision, estimated at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore, signals a strategic shift from a simple purchase to a comprehensive force development partnership with France.
While the headline figure of 114 aircraft is significant, defence planners...
The Indian government’s recent approval for the acquisition of 114 Dassault Rafale fighters is set to trigger a major transformation in the nation’s aerospace manufacturing sector.
Following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) clearance of the proposal—estimated to be worth over ₹3.25 lakh crore—industry focus has shifted to the industrial implications of the deal.
Reports indicate that Safran Aircraft Engines is preparing to establish a local assembly line for the M88 turbofan engine...
India’s air defence network is poised for a significant tactical upgrade as the Indian Air Force (IAF) actively supports a proposal to acquire the Russian Pantsir-S1 system.
This procurement is not intended to operate as a standalone defensive measure but is specifically aimed at creating a specialised security perimeter around India’s high-value S-400 Triumf batteries.
The move underscores a growing recognition of the vulnerabilities that long-range strategic assets face in modern...
Russia has significantly escalated its pitch to the Indian Air Force (IAF), moving beyond a standard fighter jet sale to offer a comprehensive "future combat" ecosystem.
According to recent reports and statements from officials at Rostec, Moscow is proposing a bespoke, locally manufactured variant of the Su-57 Felon—often referred to as the Su-57MKI—that would be intrinsically linked with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter) stealth drone.
This proposal represents a fundamental shift in air...
India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in armoured warfare has reached a significant inflection point.
While the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) finalises the DATRAN 1500—the most powerful indigenous tank engine to date—engineers are already looking past conventional diesel technology.
Reports indicate that the laboratory is initiating ambitious programmes to develop hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, aiming to future-proof India’s...
