The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jet from France. This major decision sets the stage for what’s being called the “mother of all defence deals” given its scale and strategic significance.
Estimated cost and timing
- The deal is expected to be worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore once final commercial negotiations are completed.
- Total defence procurements cleared, including other equipment, amount to about ₹3.6 lakh crore.
- The final contract still needs approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and formal signing with France’s Dassault Aviation.
Where will the jets come from?
- Around 20 jets will be bought in fly-away condition (fully built in France).
- The remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India under collaboration with Dassault and Indian partners (including public and private firms), with an aim to boost local defence production.
- These India-made jets are expected to contain 50–60% indigenous content and be assembled within the country.
Importance of this deal:
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently has only about 29 operational fighter squadrons, far short of the 42 squadrons it’s supposed to have.
- Adding 114 Rafales will significantly boost air combat capability, enhancing India’s deterrence and strike reach.
- The Rafale has already proven effective, earning praise for its performance in recent operations.
Other equipment approved:
- The DAC’s latest meeting didn’t just approve Rafales — it also cleared purchases of:
- P-8I maritime patrol aircraft from the U.S. (for the Navy),
- Combat missiles and high-altitude pseudo satellites, enhancing long-range strike and surveillance capabilities,
- Additional equipment for the army and coast guard like anti-tank mines and electro-optical systems.
This approval comes just before the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India, highlighting the growing defence partnership between the two countries.