New Delhi: The Defence Ministry is expected to clear a ₹3.25 lakh crore agreement this week for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, according to sources. The approval is likely to come just days before French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India.
If finalised, the deal will become India’s largest-ever defence procurement, and a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It includes plans to manufacture around 100 aircraft in India, along with the transfer of advanced fighter jet technology and a long-term strategic partnership with France.
India currently operates 36 Rafale ‘C’ variants, with the final aircraft delivered in December 2024, and has placed an additional order for 26 Rafale ‘M’ naval variants worth ₹63,000 crore for deployment on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Deliveries of the naval jets are expected by 2030.
The Rafales already in service are stationed at Ambala and Hasimara air bases and have seen operational deployment, including during Operation Sindoor and in Ladakh. The aircraft are equipped with advanced weapon systems such as SCALP cruise missiles, Meteor air-to-air missiles, HAMMER precision weapons, and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.
In parallel, India and France have signed key technology transfer and manufacturing agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, paving the way for local production of major Rafale fuselage components at a new facility in Hyderabad. Production is expected to begin in 2028.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy continues work on indigenous fifth-generation carrier-based fighters, being developed by DRDO as part of the broader AMCA programme, underscoring India’s parallel push for self-reliance in advanced combat aviation.
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