New Delhi | In a major boost to India’s air power and domestic defence manufacturing, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence for the acquisition of 114 ‘Made in India’ Rafale fighter aircraft. The deal, estimated to be worth over ₹2 lakh crore, is expected to be the largest defence procurement in India’s history if approved.
Under the proposal, the Rafale jets will be manufactured in India by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation in partnership with Indian aerospace companies. A key highlight of the plan is that over 60 per cent indigenous content will be incorporated, aligning the project closely with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
According to defence sources, the Indian Air Force’s Statement of Case (SoC) has already been received by the Defence Ministry and is currently under review by the defence finance wing. The proposal is expected to move next to the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), followed by final consideration by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
If cleared, the induction of these aircraft will significantly strengthen the IAF’s combat capability. The force currently operates 36 Rafale jets, inducted under a government-to-government agreement with France, while the Indian Navy has placed orders for 26 Rafale-M aircraft for carrier-based operations. With the new induction, the IAF’s Rafale fleet would rise to 176 aircraft.
The proposal comes in the backdrop of the Rafale’s reported operational success during Operation Sindoor, where the aircraft demonstrated strong performance in electronic warfare and air combat roles, further reinforcing the IAF’s confidence in the platform.
The India-manufactured Rafales are expected to be equipped with enhanced weapon systems, including longer-range air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, making them more lethal and versatile. Plans also include the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub in India, likely in Hyderabad, for the Rafale’s M-88 engines, creating long-term industrial and employment benefits.
The IAF is currently operating with around 31 fighter squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42. The proposed acquisition is seen as critical to bridging this gap amid evolving regional security challenges.
Alongside the Rafale programme, India has already placed orders for 180 LCA Tejas Mk-1A aircraft and is working towards inducting indigenous fifth-generation fighters in the long term. Together, these initiatives underline India’s twin focus on strengthening national security while expanding domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
