In a significant development for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has given the green light to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from French aviation manufacturer Dassault. This proposal is now set for consideration at the upcoming Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The final approval is expected to come from the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India had formally requested the Defence Ministry for an additional 114 Rafale fighter jets last year, and sources suggest that the country could finalize the agreement with France as early as next month. A previous deal signed in April last year saw India securing 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets from France to bolster the Indian Navy’s capabilities.
Under an Inter-Governmental Agreement, the procurement of these fighter jets will involve direct deliveries without any middlemen. The agreement covers 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater trainers, with deliveries slated for completion by 2031. Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have also inked agreements to manufacture Rafale fuselage sections in India, with the first sections expected to be ready by FY2028.
Tata Advanced Systems will establish a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad to manufacture key structural components of the Rafale, including the rear fuselage lateral shells, central fuselage, and front section. This move signifies a significant stride in enhancing India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.
