Overview
- India’s Defence Procurement Board approved the Indian Air Force proposal to acquire 114 Rafale jets in a package estimated at roughly ₹3.25 lakh crore.
- The case now proceeds to the Defence Acquisition Council before Cabinet Committee on Security consideration and formal price negotiations, with some reports pointing to possible alignment with President Emmanuel Macron’s February visit.
- Current planning envisages about 18 aircraft in fly-away condition from France and the remaining 96 produced in India, with indigenous content targeted in the 30%–60% range under partnerships such as Dassault–Tata Advanced Systems.
- New Delhi has set firm conditions, including integration of Indian weapons and secure data links on all aircraft, while sources say access to source code for weapons and communications integration is being pursued as a non‑negotiable.
- The accelerated push is driven by the IAF’s fighter strength slipping to roughly 29–30 squadrons against an authorised 42.5, with the additional Rafales intended to close critical capability gaps.