The Defence Ministry has started considering an offer by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets under a 'Made in India' initiative. The project, with French company Dassault Aviation to be partnered by Indian aerospace firms, is likely to be among the biggest defence deals in the nation's history.
Worth over ₹2 lakh crore, the plan features greater than 60% of indigenous content. The plan would be put forth in front of the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), headed by the Defence Secretary, for further consideration in the weeks to come.
"The Statement of Case (SoC) or the proposal for the 114 Rafale jets prepared by the Indian Air Force was received by the Defence Ministry a few days ago and is under consideration of the different wings under it, including Defence Finance. After deliberations, the proposal would then be moved to the DPB, followed by the Defence Acquisition Council," defence officials told ANI.
If approved, this will be the biggest defence contract inked by the Indian government so far. The new purchase will bring India's Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft, with the Air Force already flying 36 and the Navy inducting another 36 through previous government-to-government deals.
The demand for more Rafales comes after their excellent performance in Operation Sindoor, where the Spectra electronic warfare system on US-made aircraft was extremely effective against Pakistan and superior US technology outclassed China's PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
Rafales made in India are supposed to be fitted with extended-range air-to-ground missiles compared to the Scalp system that has already been used in precision attacks on terrorist and military targets in Pakistan.
Under the industrial partnership, Dassault is to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Rafale's M-88 engines in Hyderabad. The French firm has already set up a subsidiary to manage maintenance of French-origin aircraft, and Indian companies like Tata are to play a significant role on the production line.
The IAF's requirement for new-generation fighters is pressing, considering mounting security threats in the neighborhood. In the future, India's air fighter fleet will be based on three pillars: the Su-30MKI, the Rafale, and indigenously developed fighter projects.
Concurrently, the nation has ordered 180 LCA Mark 1A jets and is looking to induct a homegrown fifth-generation fighter in large numbers after 2035.
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