Bringing the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighters a step closer to fruition, French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has formally submitted its technical and commercial proposal to New Delhi for the proposed Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal. The fighter, when delivered would significantly expand India’s combat aircraft fleet while also at the same time deepening industrial cooperation with France. The French proposal, is received in response to India’s Letter of Request (LoR) issued in May. The proposal outlines a plan for local production and extensive technology transfer under the Intergovernmental Agreement framework. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 114 Rafale fighters in February this year. Once all the listed procedures are completed, the deal will be cleared by the prime minister chaired Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).During his visit to France in June this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated the bilateral relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership. The talks between the two leaders underscored a shared commitment to deepen collaboration through co‑design, co‑development and co‑production of advanced defence platforms, with particular emphasis on next‑generation technologies. Earlier in June before PM Modi’s visit, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also visited France. His engagements with General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, and leading defence firms including Dassault Aviation, Thales, Safran and MBDA. These firms are pivotal to the production of Rafale and its key components.India seeks 18 aircraft to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 would be assembled in India. Over 80% of the proposed induction will be domestically assembled, with indigenous content expected to rise from an initial 30% to over 60% as production line matures. The Indian Air Force has specified a mix of 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat variants, with Dassault partnering Indian private firms for assembly and systems integration. India has sought integration of indigenous weapons and systems, including secure data links to connect the jets with local radars and sensors. India already operates 36 of these fighters that are deployed by two squadrons, these are the Ambala based 17 Squadron and the Hasimara based 101 Squadron.If cleared, the acquisition will raise India’s Rafale strength to 176 aircraft, with 150 airframes with the IAF and 26 maritime variants have already been ordered by the navy. The Rafale’s operational record during Operation Sindoor has bolstered its case. Armed with Meteor air-to-air missiles, SCALP cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions, the Rafale is positioned as the most advanced aircraft in India’s fighter fleet.The French side has also proposed setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for Safran’s M-88 engines in Hyderabad, a move expected to strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem. Technology transfer will cover airframes, engines and avionics, with suppliers such as Safran and Thales participating. Indigenous content is projected to reach 55–60% once the transfer programme is complete. India is also seeking the latest F-4 and the upcoming F-5 variants, this would feature an upgraded Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhanced self-protection suites, satellite links and AI-based pilot assistance.The Rafale deal is critical in bridging capability gaps until indigenous programmes such as the Tejas Mk-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programmes mature. With delays in engine supplies and the AMCA project unlikely to enter service before the mid-2030s, the Rafale, Su-30MKI and the Tejas Mk-1A aircraft will remain the backbone of India’s fighter fleet.
