The Defence Ministry is expected to clear a massive Rs 3.25 lakh crore procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) this week, government sources told NDTV on Tuesday. The decision is likely to come just days before French President Emmanuel Macron's scheduled visit to Delhi.
If approved, the contract will become India's largest-ever weapons deal, and will include provisions to manufacture over 100 Rafales in India, reports NDTV. The arrangement is set to involve the transfer of advanced fighter‑jet technologies and will expand India's ‘Make in India' defence ecosystem through a strategic partnership model.
The Rafale which is a twin‑engine, multi-role fighter jet, is widely regarded as one of the world's most capable platforms for air superiority and precision strike missions. With this deal, India will gain status as one of the largest operators of the aircraft outside France.
IAF deal for 114 Rafale fighters all set to be cleared by Defence Ministry this week, ahead of President @EmmanuelMacron's arrival in India.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 10, 2026
I report details: pic.twitter.com/CDTSyR4dqu
Existing Rafale Fleet and Upcoming Naval Variants
India currently operates 36 Rafale ‘C' variant jets, the last of which was delivered in December 2024. These aircraft are deployed with No. 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) in Ambala and No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) in Hasimara, West Bengal.
In addition, India has finalised a Rs 63,000 crore agreement for 26 Rafale–M naval fighters, including four twin‑seat trainers, as part of an extensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) package. Deliveries are expected by 2030, with the Rafale‑M slated for deployment on INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The Rafale jets took part in Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May last year, and have been deployed in Ladakh amid ongoing border tensions. The missile has seen extensive use in global theatres including Iraq and Libya.
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France–India Industrial Collaboration
India and France last year announced four major production-transfer agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). These are expected to accelerate India's acquisition timeline for the Rafale fleet.
TASL will establish a state‑of‑the‑art facility in Hyderabad to produce key structural components of the jet such as rear fuselage lateral shells, complete rear fuselage section, central fuselage, front fuselage section.
The first fuselage assemblies are projected to roll out by 2028, with a target of two complete fuselages per month. Final assembly will continue at Dassault's plant in Merignac, near Bordeaux.
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