India Moves Closer to Acquiring 114 Rafale Fighter Jets

India has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its air combat capabilities with the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) clearing a proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The approval marks a crucial milestone in India’s long-pending effort to modernize its fighter fleet and address the steady decline in squadron strength. With this clearance, the proposal will now move to the Defence Acquisition Council and subsequently to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final authorization.

The move reflects India’s growing urgency to reinforce its air power amid an increasingly complex regional security environment. As older aircraft are phased out faster than new ones are inducted, the Indian Air Force has repeatedly flagged the need for advanced multirole fighters capable of operating across diverse mission profiles.

The proposal also provides for the integration of Indian weapons systems and the transfer of technology to enable production in India | Moneycontrol

Why the Rafale Matters for the Indian Air Force

The Rafale is a proven 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft equipped for air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence missions. India already operates 36 Rafale jets inducted under a previous government-to-government agreement with France, with these aircraft currently deployed at strategically important air bases in Ambala and Hasimara.

Operational experience with the Rafale has strengthened confidence within the Indian Air Force regarding the platform’s performance, reliability, and adaptability to Indian requirements. Expanding the Rafale fleet is therefore seen as a practical solution to rapidly enhance combat readiness while indigenous fighter programs continue to mature.

Addressing Squadron Shortfalls and Strategic Gaps

India’s sanctioned fighter squadron strength stands significantly higher than its current operational numbers. Delays in aircraft replacement and the retirement of aging fleets such as the MiG-21s have widened this gap over the years. The acquisition of 114 Rafale jets under the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft program is intended to stabilize squadron strength during a critical transitional phase.

Defense analysts view this procurement as a bridge between legacy platforms and future indigenous systems such as the Tejas Mk-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Until these projects reach full operational capability, the Rafale is expected to serve as a cornerstone of India’s air combat strategy.

Make in India and Industrial Collaboration

A defining feature of the proposed deal is its strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing and technology transfer. While an initial batch of aircraft may be delivered in flyaway condition from France, the majority of the jets are expected to be produced in India with increasing levels of indigenous content.

French aerospace companies, including Dassault Aviation, Safran, and Thales, are expected to collaborate with Indian partners to establish high-end manufacturing and assembly lines. This approach aligns closely with India’s broader “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” objectives, aiming to strengthen the domestic aerospace ecosystem, generate skilled employment, and build long-term self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Strategic Implications Beyond the Air Force

The Rafale expansion also reinforces India’s strategic partnership with France, which has emerged as one of India’s most reliable defense collaborators. Beyond the Indian Air Force, India is also progressing toward acquiring Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy to enhance aircraft carrier operations, further deepening interoperability across services.

A larger common platform offers operational advantages by simplifying training, maintenance, logistics, and weapons integration. It also enhances India’s deterrence posture by ensuring rapid deployment capabilities across both western and eastern fronts.

Concerns Over Cost and Dependence

Despite widespread support for the acquisition, the proposal has sparked debate over cost and long-term dependency on foreign suppliers. The deal is estimated to be among the most expensive defense procurements in India’s history, raising concerns about budgetary pressure and opportunity costs for indigenous programs.

Critics argue that while the Rafale purchase is necessary to address immediate gaps, it must not dilute long-term investment in homegrown fighter development. Supporters counter that the deal’s emphasis on domestic production and technology transfer helps strike a balance between urgency and self-reliance.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s move toward acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets signals a clear recognition of the urgent need to restore and strengthen the Indian Air Force’s combat edge. With squadron numbers falling well below sanctioned strength due to the retirement of aging aircraft, the clearance by the Defence Procurement Board underlines the priority being given to immediate operational readiness. The Rafale’s proven performance, already validated through the induction and deployment of 36 aircraft, offers a reliable and battle-ready solution at a time when regional security challenges are intensifying across both western and eastern fronts.

At the same time, the proposed deal reflects a broader strategic and industrial calculation. By linking the acquisition to domestic manufacturing, technology transfer, and partnerships with French aerospace firms, the program aligns defense preparedness with long-term self-reliance goals. The emphasis on “Make in India” ensures that the investment strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem while serving as a bridge until indigenous platforms like Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA become fully operational. Despite concerns over cost, the balance between immediate capability enhancement and industrial growth makes the Rafale expansion a consequential step in shaping India’s air power and strategic posture in the years ahead.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, Firstpost)