India-France 114 Rafale Deal to Include F4 Upgrade for Current IAF Fleet and Procurement of At Least 24 F5 Variants, Claims French Media

A recent report by the French defence aviation portal avionslegendaires.net has claimed that India and France are finalising a comprehensive "super contract" that significantly exceeds the scope of the original Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) requirement.

According to the report, the proposed government-to-government deal for 114 fighter jets is not merely for the production of standard aircraft but involves a multi-phased evolution of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities.

The package reportedly includes the supply of 90 new Rafale F4 jets manufactured in India, the direct import of at least 24 futuristic Rafale F5 variants, and a complete upgrade of India’s existing fleet to the F4 standard.

Three Generations of Rafale in One Fleet​

If the report proves accurate, the agreement would position the IAF as one of the world's most advanced operators of the Dassault Rafale, fielding a fleet that spans three distinct technological standards:

• Existing Fleet: The 36 Rafale jets currently in service (originally F3R standard) will be upgraded to the F4 operational baseline.
• New Production: 90 new aircraft will be built to the F4 standard, likely under the "Make in India" initiative.
• Future Acquisition: A specific batch of at least 24 aircraft will be of the next-generation F5 standard, expected to be manufactured entirely in France by Dassault Aviation to protect sensitive technologies.

This structure implies a long-term strategic partnership, ensuring the Rafale remains the backbone of Indian air power well into the 2040s.

Rafale F4: A Network-Centric Transformation​

The report highlights that upgrading the existing 36 jets to the F4 standard is a central component of the deal.

Unlike a routine mid-life update, the transition to F4 represents a "deep modernisation" designed to make the aircraft a node in networked warfare.

Key enhancements in the F4 standard include:​

• Advanced Avionics: The RBE2 AESA radar receives significant software upgrades, including new Ground Moving Target Indication and Tracking (GMTI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) modes. These allow the aircraft to generate high-resolution maps and track moving vehicles in all weather conditions.
• Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD): The F4 integrates the Thales Scorpion HMD, a critical capability that allows pilots to lock onto targets simply by looking at them, drastically reducing reaction times in dogfights.
• Connectivity: The standard integrates the Thales CONTACT software-defined radio and improved satellite communications. This ensures secure, jam-resistant data sharing between aircraft, ground stations, and naval assets, effectively creating a "combat cloud" where the Rafale acts as a data hub.

The F5 Variant: The "Super Rafale"​

The most significant revelation in the French report is the inclusion of the Rafale F5, often dubbed the "Super Rafale."

Scheduled for production after 2030, this variant is designed to bridge the gap between fourth-generation fighters and future sixth-generation systems.

While specific details remain classified, the F5 is expected to feature:

• AI-Driven Sensor Fusion: Extensive use of artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of battlefield data.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The ability to control "loyal wingman" drones, such as the nEUROn combat drone, directly from the cockpit.
• Next-Gen Weapons: Integration with future hypersonic nuclear missiles (ASN4G) and new long-range strike weapons.

The report notes that because of the highly sensitive nature of the F5's technology, these 24 distinct units would likely be manufactured in France rather than on an Indian assembly line.

Strategic Context​

This potential agreement comes as India seeks to expedite the procurement of 114 fighters to address its depleting squadron strength.

By offering a mix of domestic production (for the F4s) and high-tech direct imports (for the F5s), France appears to be addressing both India’s "Atmanirbhar Bharat" goals and its immediate need for cutting-edge technology.

Speculation suggests that this deal could be formally discussed or announced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s expected visit to India in early 2026 for an Artificial Intelligence summit, highlighting the deep technological cooperation between the two nations.

 

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[ku.nj727]

As the first aircraft won't come before 2030 then why only 24 F5 we should opt atleast 2,3 squadrons of F5 bcz if the remaining accounts for F4 then we will have 95 F4(35 which will get upgraded and 60 new from MRFA) which is a considerable amount, and the previous F3 and new F4 should also get F5 upgrades after induction of tejas mk2, AMCA (so that we don't ran out of money in ordering indigenous ones)