DAC Clears Procurement of 114 Rafale Fighter Jets in Major Defence Push

India has moved closer to one of the largest defence procurement deals in its history, with approval granted for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets to significantly enhance the operational strength of the Indian Air Force. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared the long-pending proposal.

The council approved military hardware purchases worth ₹3.60 lakh crore. Along with Rafale jets, the package includes missiles for the Air Force, airship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite systems, six Boeing P8-I surveillance aircraft for the Navy, Vaibhav anti-tank mines for the Army, and upgrades for T-72 tanks.

While the exact cost of the Rafale deal has not been officially disclosed, estimates suggest it could range between ₹2.90 lakh crore and ₹3.15 lakh crore. Under the multi-role fighter aircraft project, 18 jets will be delivered in flyaway condition from France, while the remaining 96 will be manufactured in India.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India from the 17th of this month, during which an inter-governmental agreement may be signed. However, prior approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security will be required.

The process for acquiring medium multi-role fighter aircraft dates back to the 1990s. After issuing a Request for Information in 2004, India signed a deal in 2016 for 36 Rafale jets. In 2019, the Air Force renewed efforts to procure an additional 114 aircraft.

Separately, India recently signed a ₹64,000 crore agreement for 26 marine variant Rafale jets for the Navy. The Defence Ministry also finalized a ₹2,312 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for eight Dornier aircraft for the Coast Guard.