Defence Ministry to Discuss Massive ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Rafale Fighter Jet Deal
A crucial high-level meeting at the Defence Ministry this week will focus on India's proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. The monumental deal carries an estimated price tag of around ₹3.25 lakh crore. According to an ANI report citing informed sources, the aircraft will be manufactured within India with a significant indigenous component.
Key Details of the Proposed Agreement
The proposal outlines that 12 to 18 of these advanced Rafale jets would be delivered to the Indian Air Force in a ready-to-fly condition. The remaining jets would be produced domestically under the strategic partnership model. A critical aspect of the deal involves a formal request from India for French assistance. This assistance would enable the integration of Indian-made weapons and indigenous systems onto the French-designed aircraft through a government-to-government framework.
It is important to note that the source codes for the aircraft will remain exclusively with the French side. This decision maintains French control over the core technology while allowing for Indian customization.
Indigenous Manufacturing and Strategic Context
The indigenous content in these Made-in-India Rafales is projected to be approximately 30%. This figure stands in contrast to the typical 50% to 60% local content requirement for many Make in India projects, highlighting the advanced technology involved. India is proceeding with this French deal despite competing offers from other global powers. Both the United States and Russia have presented their own fifth-generation fighter options, the F-35 and Su-57 respectively, to the Indian Air Force.
Once finalized, this agreement will become India's single largest defence procurement ever. It would boost the total number of Rafale jets across the Indian military to 176. The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafales, and the Indian Navy secured an order for 26 units last year.
Approval Process and Regional Imperatives
The Indian Air Force submitted its detailed Statement of Case for the 114 jets to the Defence Ministry several months ago. Following ministry-level approval, the proposal must receive the final green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security, the nation's highest decision-making body on defence matters.
The push to advance this deal gained momentum after the Rafale's demonstrated combat performance. Reports indicate the jet excelled in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, where its sophisticated Spectra Electronic Warfare suite effectively countered Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
Industrial Partnerships and Future Plans
As part of the broader collaboration, France plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad for the M-88 engines that power the Rafale jets. Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer, has already formed a dedicated company to manage maintenance for French-origin fighter aircraft in India. Major Indian aerospace firms, including the Tata Group, are expected to play a significant role in the domestic manufacturing process.
The urgent need to bolster India's air power drives this massive procurement. The Indian Air Force faces a pressing requirement to modernize its fleet and counter rising regional threats. Its future fighter force structure is envisioned to rely heavily on a mix of Su-30 MKIs, Rafales, and indigenous jet programs. India has already placed an order for 180 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A jets and has long-term plans to induct substantial numbers of indigenous fifth-generation fighters post-2035.
