The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its combat capability by moving a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets. If approved, this would mark one of the largest defence deals in India’s history, with an estimated cost of over ₹2 lakh crore.
A Direct Route to Rafale
Unlike the earlier multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) tender process, the MoD is likely to skip fresh bidding and directly opt for Dassault Aviation’s Rafale. The rationale is clear — Rafale had already topped the global trials a decade ago, and the IAF is already familiar with its operations.
India currently operates 36 Rafales, and the Navy has placed an order for 26 marine variants. Expanding the fleet with more Rafales, officials argue, would reduce costs on training and maintenance while leveraging existing infrastructure like the Ambala MRO facility.
Make in India Push
Under the proposed deal, the fighter jets will be built in India as part of the Make in India initiative. Dassault Aviation has deepened its partnership in the country, recently raising its stake in Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) from 49% to 51%, giving the French company majority control while retaining Reliance Infrastructure as its Indian partner.
Industry experts suggest that up to 60% indigenous content could be included in the project. French engine-maker Safran has already announced an MRO hub for the Rafale’s M-88 engines in Hyderabad, boosting India’s defence ecosystem.
Urgency for New Squadrons
The urgency behind the acquisition stems from the IAF’s shrinking squadron strength. With two MiG-21 squadrons set to retire on September 26, the IAF will drop to 29 squadrons — the lowest in six decades. This is well below the 42-squadron target set by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to prepare for potential two-front threats from China and Pakistan.
Officials say the IAF has the immediate capacity to absorb at least two new squadrons (around 36–38 jets), while subsequent deliveries would follow in phases.
A Long Road to Approval
Before the deal is finalized, it must clear several layers of government scrutiny, including the Defence Procurement Board, the Defence Acquisition Council, and finally, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the Prime Minister.
If approved, the Rafale deal would not just reinforce India’s air superiority but also anchor a new era of defence manufacturing and technology transfer under the Make in India framework.
Why Rafale Again?
For the IAF, sticking with Rafale makes strategic and financial sense. The existing fleet has already undergone extensive induction, pilot training, and maintenance protocols. Introducing a new fighter aircraft would mean duplicating these processes at significant cost.
A senior defence source summed it up: “The Rafale has already proven itself as the best bidder. There is no logic in reopening the tender process when the IAF urgently needs fighters.”
A Historic Defence Deal in the Making
If executed, the 114-jet acquisition would be India’s biggest-ever fighter purchase, surpassing even the landmark 2015 government-to-government agreement for 36 Rafales. Beyond bolstering India’s strike capability, it would signal a major leap for indigenous defence production, global partnerships, and readiness for future conflicts.
For now, all eyes are on the Defence Ministry and the political leadership, as the IAF makes a strong case for the jet that has already become the backbone of its modern fleet.
