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A diplomatic misunderstanding regarding a major defence acquisition briefly took centre stage earlier this week, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding India’s military procurement processes.
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces was compelled to withdraw a public statement that prematurely confirmed an Indian order for 114 Rafale fighter jets, following a swift intervention by New Delhi.
Premature Celebration and Swift Retraction
On 2 December 2025, French officials released a briefing that praised the "lasting and strong partnership" between Paris and New Delhi. The statement explicitly cited an "order for 90 Rafale F4s and an option for 24 Rafale F5s" as evidence of the deep trust between the two nations.However, this declaration bypassed a critical procedural step: the formal Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The AoN is a mandatory pre-requisite that validates the operational necessity and fiscal viability of major defence contracts before any deal can be finalised.
Indian officials moved quickly to correct the record, reminding their French counterparts that the procurement process remains ongoing. Consequently, Paris retracted the announcement to align with the correct diplomatic and procedural status.
The MRFA Context
The acquisition is part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) long-running Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, initiated in 2018 to address a critical shortage in combat squadrons.By September 2025, the IAF had finalised its evaluation, formally recommending the Dassault Rafale over competitors such as the Lockheed Martin F-21 and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
This recommendation was driven by the Rafale’s exceptional performance in recent years, particularly its precision strike capabilities and high availability rates.
The IAF currently operates with approximately 30 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, creating an urgent operational requirement to bolster air power amidst persisting security challenges on both the northern and western borders.
Technological Leap: The F4 and F5 Standards
The proposed acquisition is split between two advanced configurations of the omni-role fighter:- Rafale F4: The deal includes 90 aircraft in the F4 standard, expected to be delivered in tranches starting from 2029. This variant focuses on hyper-connectivity, featuring enhanced electronic warfare suites, improved sensor fusion, and, crucially, integration with indigenous Indian munitions like the Astra Mk-2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Full operational capability for these units is targeted for 2035.
- Rafale F5: The agreement also outlines an option for 24 aircraft in the futuristic F5 configuration, with deliveries slated for 2030. The F5 represents a generational leap, incorporating a new mission computer for exponentially higher computing power and the T-REX engine, which promises 20% more thrust than the current M88-2 power plant. Most significantly, the F5 is designed for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), allowing it to control "loyal wingman" combat drones derived from the nEUROn demonstrator program.
Indigenous Production and Strategic Autonomy
A cornerstone of this procurement is the focus on "Make in India." The aircraft are to be manufactured locally at the Dassault Reliance Aerospace facility in Nagpur.The project aims for over 70% indigenous content, integrating critical Indian systems such as the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the Rudram anti-radiation missile.
This level of indigenisation is intended to feed directly into India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, fostering self-reliance in aerospace technology.
Next Steps
While the French announcement was ahead of schedule, sources indicate that the deal is on a steady track. "The ink isn't dry until the AoN is granted, which we expect by early 2026," a senior Indian defence ministry official stated.If approved by the CCS, the deal would result in an Indian fleet of over 150 Rafales, making it the largest operator of the type outside France and significantly enhancing the IAF’s ability to deter authoritarian expansionism in the region.
