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According to a report in The Print, India is reportedly in advanced stages of negotiation with France to procure 114 new Rafale fighter jets, with a formal agreement potentially being signed within the next year.
This landmark defence contract, valued at an estimated $22 billion, is poised to substantially upgrade the Indian Air Force's (IAF) combat fleet while significantly promoting the government's "Make in India" policy in the defence sector.
The proposed acquisition framework involves a hybrid model designed to balance immediate operational needs with long-term industrial capability.
Under the terms being discussed, the initial 18 aircraft would be delivered directly from France in a fly-away condition.
The majority of the fleet, the subsequent 96 jets, would be manufactured domestically in India. This production is expected to take place at the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in Nagpur, a joint venture between France's Dassault Aviation and India's Reliance Group.
This approach ensures a quick capability boost for the IAF while fostering self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Rafale is already a proven platform within the IAF. Following a 2016 agreement, India inducted 36 Rafales starting in 2020, which now form two operational squadrons based in Ambala, Haryana, and Hasimara, West Bengal.
Widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft, the Rafale has demonstrated its effectiveness in the regional security landscape.
This new order would more than triple the IAF's Rafale inventory, providing a formidable deterrent against evolving threats on India's northern and western borders.
A key feature of the deal is its emphasis on local manufacturing and technology transfer. The assembly of 96 jets in India is projected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs and invigorate the nation's aerospace ecosystem by involving numerous smaller component suppliers.
Furthermore, analysts highlight that the transfer of technology (ToT) in critical areas like advanced avionics and manufacturing processes could provide a vital foundation for India's own indigenous fighter programs, most notably the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country's fifth-generation stealth fighter currently in development.
Should the deal be finalised on its current timeline, it would rank among the largest defence procurements in Indian history and mark a new high in the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris.
The Rafale has already garnered strong support within India's political and military circles for its performance and strategic value.
his expanded contract would solidify the aircraft's role as the backbone of India's air power for several decades, likely serving well into the 2050s.
