The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to strengthen its combat fleet with the induction of new-generation multi-role fighter aircraft, Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said on Wednesday. His remarks came ahead of a crucial defence ministry meeting that will deliberate on a proposal to acquire 114 Rafale jets.
Speaking at a briefing for the upcoming Vayu Shakti exercise scheduled for February 27 at Pokhran near Jaisalmer, Kapoor made it clear that no final call has been taken on the specific platform. As reported by the Hindustan Times, he said, “A concrete decision has not been taken on whether that is going to be Rafale or any other aircraft presently under deliberation. Therefore, it will not be correct for me to comment on that at the moment. IAF is looking forward to inducting a lot more of these newer generation aircraft, and the sooner the better.”
Vayu Shakti to showcase full combat spectrum
The large-scale exercise will feature 77 fighter jets, 43 helicopters, eight transport aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, counter-unmanned aerial systems and surface-to-air guided weapons. According to the defence ministry, full-spectrum operations will be carried out by platforms including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, and others.
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In a statement, the ministry said, “As the first, fastest and fiercest responder, the Indian Air Force will highlight its ability to rapidly punish the enemy, dominate operational environment from the outset and decisively influence the course of operations by transforming tactical actions into strategic outcomes.” It further added, “It will also highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, reaffirming IAF’s primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, multi-domain operations and its ability to deliver decisive effects with indigenous platforms guided by the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.”
Around 10 women pilots are expected to participate in the exercise, flying different types of aircraft, according to HT.
Kapoor also referred to Rafale’s role during Operation Sindoor, describing it among the heroes of the missions carried out during the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in early May, which followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Meanwhile, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is set to take up the IAF’s proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighters. Earlier, on January 16, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, cleared the proposal, paving the way for consideration by the DAC, the apex military procurement body. The move comes at a time when the IAF is facing a shortage of fighter squadrons.
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Talks with France are currently focused on localising production in India, integrating indigenous weapons and incorporating India-specific requirements. The DAC meeting precedes French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India from February 17 to 19. Macron is scheduled to launch the India-France Year of Innovation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit. Their main bilateral meeting is expected in Mumbai on February 17.
The proposed capability enhancement is estimated to cost around ₹3.25 lakh crore. Under the plan being considered, 18 Rafale jets would be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 would be manufactured in India.
