The Indian Air Force (IAF) is strongly recommending a direct government-to-government (G2G) agreement with France for the urgent acquisition of 90 additional Rafale F4 fighter jets.
This strategic push aims to rapidly address the IAF's critically low number of fighter squadrons, a vulnerability that became evident during a recent military engagement, according to official sources.
The proposal seeks to bypass the lengthy global tender process of the long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.
The need for this acquisition was reportedly underscored by the outcomes of "Operation Sindoor," a military operation conducted from May 7-10, 2025, against terrorist bases in Pakistan.
While the existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets was effective in carrying out long-range precision strikes, the operation highlighted the strain on the IAF's limited resources.
The air force is currently operating with only 31 fighter squadrons against an officially sanctioned strength of 42. This number is projected to fall to 29 by September 2025 with the scheduled retirement of the last remaining MiG-21 squadrons.
A direct purchase of 90 aircraft would increase India's total Rafale fleet to 126 jets, fulfilling the original requirement established under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender in 2007.
This expedited G2G approach is seen as a crucial measure to counter the growing and collusive military threat from China and Pakistan.
Regional security dynamics have shifted with Pakistan's recent induction of advanced Chinese aircraft, including J-10C fighters armed with long-range PL-15 missiles and the reported acquisition of J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets.
The proposed deal is also designed to significantly boost India’s domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem under the “Make in India” initiative.
If approved, the new Rafale F4 jets would be assembled in India. This plan leverages existing infrastructure and partnerships. The Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in Nagpur, which currently produces several Rafale components, is positioned to handle the final assembly of the aircraft.
Further strengthening the domestic supply chain, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has recently been contracted by Dassault Aviation to manufacture entire fuselages for the Rafale.
Additionally, Safran, the French manufacturer of the Rafale's M-88 engines, has expressed plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, with the potential for assembling the engines domestically if the order is confirmed.
This combination of local assembly, airframe production, and engine support would create a comprehensive industrial base for the Rafale in India.
The Rafale F4, the variant sought by the IAF, is a major advancement over the F3-R version currently in service.
It features a more powerful Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, upgraded electronic warfare suites for enhanced protection, and advanced networked warfare capabilities.
The IAF also plans to integrate indigenously developed weapon systems, such as the Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missile and the Rudram series of anti-radiation missiles, onto the platform, making it a more versatile asset for various combat scenarios.
A direct purchase would ensure faster delivery timelines and operational commonality with the 26 Rafale-Marine jets already ordered for the Indian Navy.
The IAF can also utilize its existing airbases at Ambala and Hasimara, which are already equipped to support Rafale operations, to house the new squadrons without significant delays.
However, the proposal faces challenges, including its high estimated cost of around $27 billion. Additionally, integrating Indian weapons will require rigorous testing, and domestic industrial partners will need to rapidly scale up production capacity to meet the demanding delivery schedule.
