In Shorts
- DAC approves purchase of 114 French Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
- Plans call for 90 jets to be manufactured in India under ‘Make in India’ with significant local content.
- The decision comes as part of a Rs 3.25-3.60 lakh crore defence modernisation package.
India has taken a decisive step to bolster its air power and defence manufacturing capability after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. The approval, which comes as part of a larger defence procurement package valued between Rs 3.25 lakh crore and Rs 3.60 lakh crore, was granted under government-to-government arrangements and signals a significant expansion of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet.
The new plan envisages that 90 of the 114 Rafale aircraft will be built domestically in partnership with French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation and Indian industry, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and efforts to enhance local production capacity. Officials say this arrangement aims to bring a higher share of indigenous components and support long-term self-reliance in advanced defence manufacturing.
Under the proposal approved by the DAC, the remaining jets will be procured in fly-away condition from France to meet immediate operational needs of the Air Force. Details of local content targets vary among reports, with some sources citing plans to achieve up to 50 to 60 percent Indian-made components during manufacturing.
The move addresses persistent concerns about the Indian Air Force’s shrinking squadron strength, which has dipped well below sanctioned levels due to the retirement of older platforms and delays in new inductions. Adding 114 advanced Rafale fighters is expected to enhance India’s air deterrence and provide long-range precision strike capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.
This approval also lays the groundwork for further strategic cooperation with France, with the defence purchase likely to be a key topic when French President Emmanuel Macron visits India later in February 2026. Final contract negotiations and clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
In addition to the Rafale jets, the DAC also granted acceptance of necessity for other high-value defence acquisitions, including advanced missiles and aircraft for surveillance and naval operations, marking a broad effort by India to modernise its armed forces with cutting-edge technologies.
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