India Set to Boost Combat Readiness with ₹3.25 Lakh Cr Deal for 114 Rafale Jets
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The Indian Air Force is pushing for a major upgrade with the defence ministry considering a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to acquire 114 French-origin Rafale jets. The proposal aims to bolster the country's combat readiness, which is currently hampered by a shortage of fighter squadrons. Officials privy to the matter indicate that discussions with France are progressing positively, although a deal is still in its infancy. Under the proposed model, the Rafales will be manufactured in India by Dassault Aviation and a local partner, with a focus on localising production. The Indian-made jets are expected to have an indigenous content of between 30% and 60%. This move aligns with the government's 'Make-in-India' initiative and the recent partnership between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited to build Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad. The Air Force has been advocating for the swift induction of new military hardware, including fighter jets, to meet its authorised strength of 42.5 fighter squadrons. The current fleet of around 30 fighter squadrons falls short of this target. The acquisition of 114 Rafale jets will also complement the recent purchases of 36 Rafale fighter jets and 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Navy. While the deal is still in its early stages, officials indicate that the Defence Ministry is likely to accord its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the new fighters later this year. This development would mark the first step towards acquiring the military equipment under India's defence procurement rules.
