India Clears Proposal to Acquire 114 Rafale Fighter Jets in Major Defence Boost
India’s Defence Acquisition Council has cleared an initial proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation in a deal valued at approximately ₹3.25 trillion ($280.4 billion), according to local media reports. The move comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) grapples with declining squadron strength, which has fallen to 29 squadrons—well below the sanctioned level of 42. The retirement of the MiG-21 in September, along with the phased exit of early variants of the MiG-29, the Anglo-French Jaguar, and the Mirage 2000, has intensified the need for rapid fleet modernisation.
The proposed acquisition marks a significant step in bolstering India’s aerial combat capabilities amid heightened regional tensions. While New Delhi has traditionally relied heavily on imported defence equipment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing has gathered momentum in recent years. The induction of the indigenously developed Tejas fighter jet over the past decade signaled progress in reducing dependence on foreign platforms, though the transition has faced logistical hurdles.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has orders for nearly 180 advanced Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, but deliveries have been delayed due to engine supply chain constraints involving GE Aerospace. The Rafale proposal now moves to the stage of detailed commercial and technical negotiations between India and France, following recent diplomatic engagements, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi.
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