India Approves Proposal For 114 Rafale Fighters
INDIA’S defence ministry gave an initial approval for the procurement of as many as 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets to boost the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities. The Defence Acquisition Council headed by the defence minister Rajnath Singh approved various proposals including the potential Rafale deal.
“The procurement of multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) will enhance the IAF’s capability to undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost its deterrence capabilities with long-range offensive strikes. The majority of MRFA to be procured will be manufactured in India.”
India is one of France’s best customers for defence exports, expected to enter a new era of defence cooperation with plans to jointly produce Rafale fighter jets as well as helicopters in addition to prospective deals for more submarines. The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale fighters while another 26 units of the carrier-based variant have been ordered for the Indian Navy. Indian media reports stated that as many as 90 of the 114 jets could be produced in India with an undisclosed joint venture partner.
“India’s expected order for another 114 Rafales is a “new step forward” in defence ties between the two countries and France hopes to see this replicated with submarines as well”, French president Emmanuel Macron said to reporters at the end of a three-day visit to India. “On Rafale, what we want to do is expand. India confirmed a few days ago its willingness to command a new bunch of Rafales… 114… and to co-produce in India,” Macron said.
Furthermore, the IAF has faced a shortfall of fighter numbers, with a strength of just 29 squadrons in contrast to the authorised strength of 42 combat squadrons in the face of strategic and military threats from China and Pakistan. In May 2025, Indian and Pakistani fighters and other aircraft engaged in highly complex, beyond visual range (BVR) aerial skirmishes over several days, involving as many as 125 aircraft without either side even going into respective airspaces. This is widely regarded as the first modern air contest with long-range BVR strikes.The Indian Air Force (IAF) was said to have deployed Dassault Rafale fighters while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambled J-10s, both sides armed with MBDA Meteor and PL-15 active radar-guided beyond-visual range air-to-air missiles. Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian jets consisting of three Rafales, one MiG-29 and one Su-30MKI but only two were independently confirmed and corroborated.
Macron and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi also announced the first H125 helicopter assembly line made in India by a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems, as well as a plan to jointly produce HAMMER missiles in India, by Safran and India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics (BEL).-shp/adj/dl (Pix:DVIDS)