The Defence Ministry is expected to clear a deal worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore this week to acquire 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft programme just ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Delhi, according to a report by NDTV.
'Deal will mark India's largest single weapons procurement till date'
Once complete, it would represent India's largest single weapons procurement to date and will also contain provisions to manufacture approximately 100 of the jets in India through technology transfer and a strategic partnership to bolster the 'Make In India' initiative, stated the NDTV report.
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And, once approved, this purchase will solidify India's position as one of the largest non-French operators of the Rafale, which is a twin-engined, multi-role aircraft widely considered one of the most effective in the world with a proven capability to conduct air superiority and precision strike operations.
India orders 'M' version naval variants
The Indian Air Force currently has 36 Rafales (the last of which was delivered to the Air Force in December 2024). India has also placed an order for 26 naval variants (the 'M' version) in a deal worth Rs 63,000 crore.
Under a 'maintenance, repair, overhaul' agreement, the transaction involved the acquisition of four twin-seat trainer aircraft, along with the provision of fleet maintenance, logistics support and personnel training.
The NDTV report from April 2025 states that the contract for the "M" version of the Rafale fighter aircraft is expected to be delivered by 2030.
The delivery of the "C" version aircraft will be made to two squadrons, the 17th and the 101th, based in Ambala and Bengal's Hasimara respectively, and will be attached to the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
Rafale's combat experience
The IAF fighters have already seen combat. They took part in Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, in May last year and in Ladakh.
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Rafales deployed during Operation Sindoor are believed to have launched the SCALP, an air-launched cruise missile developed to strike hardened targets over 250 km away with high precision. This missile has been used in various conflicts worldwide, including the Iraq war and in Libya.
It can also carry meteor long-range air-to-air missiles and the 'Hammer', a stand-off strike weapon, along with 'Spectra', an electronic warfare suite, as well as radar and targeting systems.
Meanwhile, in June last year, France and India announced four major production transfer deals between manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. These deals should significantly speed up the delivery of a backlog of Rafales to the Indian military, stated the NDTV report.
