A Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to amass 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Power underneath the Multi-Function Fighter Plane (MRFA) programme is predicted to be cleared by the Defence Ministry this week, sources advised NDTV on Tuesday. The anticipated approval comes days forward of French President Emmanuel Macron’s go to to New Delhi.
As soon as sanctioned, the settlement will change into India’s largest-ever weapons procurement deal.
‘Make In India’ Push And Expertise Switch
The proposed deal contains provisions to fabricate round 100 of the 114 fighter jets in India. This might contain the switch of superior fighter plane know-how and a strategic industrial partnership aimed toward strengthening the federal government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative within the defence sector.
The settlement would additionally reinforce India’s place as one of many largest non-French operators of the Rafale, a twin-engine, multi-role fight plane designed for air superiority and precision strike missions.
India’s Present Rafale Fleet
The Indian Air Power at present operates 36 Rafale fighter jets. Supply of the ultimate ‘C’ variant was accomplished in December 2024. These plane are deployed with No. 17 Squadron, the Golden Arrows, at Ambala, and No. 101 Squadron, the Falcons, at Hasimara in West Bengal.
India has additionally positioned an order for 26 naval Rafale ‘M’ variants in a separate deal valued at Rs 63,000 crore. This contains 4 twin-seat coach plane, together with upkeep, logistics assist and personnel coaching underneath a upkeep, restore and overhaul (MRO) association. NDTV reported in April final 12 months that deliveries are anticipated by 2030.
The Rafale ‘M’ jets will function from plane carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
Rafale Fight Expertise
The Rafale fighters in Indian service have already seen operational deployment. They had been used throughout Operation Sindoor, India’s army response to the Pahalgam terror assault in Might final 12 months, in addition to in operations in Ladakh.
Plane deployed throughout Operation Sindoor are believed to have fired SCALP air-launched cruise missiles, able to placing hardened targets at distances exceeding 250 kilometres with excessive precision. The Rafale has additionally been deployed in a number of worldwide conflicts, together with in Iraq and Libya.
The platform is provided to hold Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, Hammer stand-off weapons and the Spectra digital warfare suite, together with superior radar and focusing on programs.
Manufacturing Switch And Native Manufacturing Plans
In June final 12 months, India and France introduced 4 main manufacturing switch agreements between Dassault Aviation and Tata Superior Techniques Restricted. These preparations are anticipated to speed up the supply of Rafale plane to Indian armed forces.
Underneath the settlement, Tata Superior Techniques will set up a high-end manufacturing facility in Hyderabad to supply key structural sections of the Rafale, together with lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the entire rear part, the central fuselage and the entrance part.
The primary fuselage parts are scheduled to roll off the manufacturing line in 2028, with a goal output of two full fuselages per 30 days. Last meeting of the plane will proceed at Dassault’s facility in Mérignac, close to Bordeaux.
Navy’s Future Fighter Plans
Alongside the Rafale inductions, the Indian Navy can also be planning to induct indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets being developed by the Defence Analysis and Improvement Organisation (DRDO). These twin-engine, deck-based fighters will function the naval counterpart of the Superior Medium Fight Plane (AMCA) programme being pursued for the Indian Air Power.
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