India Advances Major Rafale Jets Procurement Program
India has reportedly moved forward with plans to acquire 114 Rafale Jets by issuing a Letter of Request to France under a government-to-government arrangement, according to multiple Indian media reports.
The proposed acquisition could become one of the largest defense procurement programs in the country’s history, with an estimated value of approximately INR 3.25 trillion (around US$31 billion).
Reports indicate that between 90 and 94 aircraft may be manufactured in India under a licensed production arrangement involving a private-sector partner.
Long History Behind the Rafale Jets Program
The Indian Air Force’s pursuit of Rafale Jets dates back to August 2007, when it issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program.
The original plan called for the procurement of 126 fighter aircraft at an estimated cost of US$10 billion. Under the proposal, 18 aircraft were to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 108 were intended to be manufactured domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
In 2012, the Rafale was selected as the winning aircraft in the MMRCA competition.
Initial Deal Cancelled After Cost Escalation
Despite being selected, the original procurement program was cancelled in 2015 after costs reportedly increased significantly.
By the time negotiations ended, the estimated project cost had risen to approximately US$20 billion for 126 aircraft, leading Indian authorities to reconsider the acquisition framework.
The cancellation marked a major turning point in India’s fighter aircraft modernization strategy.
India Procured 36 Rafale Jets in 2016
In August 2016, the Indian government announced a separate intergovernmental agreement with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale Jets.
The deal, valued at approximately US$8.8 billion, covered aircraft delivered in fly-away condition.
The agreement was finalized later that year, and the first batch of five aircraft arrived in India in July 2020, marking the beginning of operational induction into the Indian Air Force.
Indian Navy Also Expands Rafale Fleet
The Rafale platform has also been selected by the Indian Navy for carrier-based operations.
Following a search for a multirole carrier-borne fighter aircraft that began in 2017, the Indian Navy chose the Rafale M variant for its future requirements.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement in July 2023.
An intergovernmental agreement with France was signed in April 2025 for the purchase of 26 Rafale M aircraft, including 22 single-seat and four twin-seat variants.
The deal is valued at approximately US$7.4 billion, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028 and conclude by 2030.
Potential for Future Orders
The Indian Navy’s original requirement reportedly called for 57 carrier-capable fighter aircraft, creating the possibility of additional orders in the coming years.
Defense analysts suggest that further acquisitions could be considered depending on operational requirements and future naval expansion plans.
If finalized, the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale Jets would represent a major step in India’s ongoing military modernization efforts and significantly enhance the country’s air combat capabilities across multiple operational domains.
