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A deal worth 3.25 lakh crore rupees to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets made in France for the Indian Air Force’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft program is expected to be approved by the Defence Ministry this week, just before French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Delhi, sources reported on Tuesday morning. If the deal gets the green light, it will be India’s largest arms agreement ever and will also include plans to produce about 100 of these jets in India. This will involve sharing advanced technology for fighter jets and a strategic partnership to boost the 'make in India' initiative. Moreover, once finalized, this agreement will highlight India’s role as one of the largest operators of the Rafale outside of France, recognized as one of the most effective twin-engine, multi-role fighter jets in the world, capable of performing air dominance and precision strike operations. Currently, India has 36 Rafales, with the most recent 'C' variant delivered in December 2024, and has also secured an order for 26 naval versions, known as the 'M' version, which costs around 63,000 crore rupees.
This contract included buying four twin-seat trainer jets and support for fleet maintenance, logistics help, and training personnel through a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) agreement. The expected delivery timeline is by 2030. The 'M' version Rafales will be used on the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The delivered 'C' variants have been assigned to No 17 Squadron located in Ambala, known as the Golden Arrows, and No 101, based in Hasimara, West Bengal, referred to as the Falcons. The IAF jets have engaged in combat; they took part in Operation Sindoor, which was India's military reaction to the terror strike in Pahalgam in May last year, and were also active in Ladakh. The Rafales involved in Operation Sindoor are said to have utilized the SCALP missile, an air-launched cruise missile developed to hit tough targets over 250 kilometers away with great accuracy, and have been deployed in various conflicts around the globe, including in Iraq and Libya. They are capable of carrying long-range air-to-air missiles like the Meteor, the Hammer stand-off strike weapon, as well as having the Spectra advanced electronic warfare system and sophisticated radar and targeting technologies.
Last June, France and India made significant announcements regarding four major production transfer agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. These agreements are expected to help quickly deliver the delayed Rafale jets to the Indian armed forces. Tata Advanced Systems will establish a modern production plant in Hyderabad to create important parts of the French aircraft, such as the side sections of the rear fuselage, the entire back section, the middle fuselage, and the front part. The initial fuselage pieces are anticipated to come off the production line in 2028. The aim is to produce two complete fuselages each month, with the final assembly of the Rafale jets happening at Dassault's factory in Merignac, located near Bordeaux. The Navy also intends to introduce homegrown fifth-generation fighter jets that are currently being developed by the Defence Research and Development Institute, known as DRDO.
These jets, designed as twin-engine aircraft for use on ships, will serve as the naval version of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, which is being created for the Air Force.
