India’s ambitious plan to acquire 114 Rafale fighter aircraft is progressing, with the Ministry of Defence expected to reach a key decision point before the end of the current financial year.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the procurement has entered a critical evaluation phase, with bids submitted in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) currently undergoing detailed assessment. Once the evaluation is completed, the process will move toward negotiations and subsequent decision-making.
A major focus of the program is increased indigenisation and deeper integration of Indian-developed systems and weapons into the aircraft. Singh noted that France has already agreed to integrate Indian weapon systems with the Rafale Marine aircraft contracted for the Indian Navy.
For the proposed 114-aircraft acquisition, however, India is seeking a substantially higher level of localisation.
The procurement is being structured under a buy-and-make model, with a significant portion of the aircraft expected to be assembled in India rather than delivered as fully built units. The approach represents a major step beyond India’s earlier Rafale acquisition and aligns with New Delhi’s objective of developing a stronger domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
The government is also seeking extensive incorporation of Indian-made components, systems, and weapons across the fleet. Greater local content could strengthen self-reliance in defence production while creating opportunities for Indian defence companies, private manufacturers, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Rafale Program to Strengthen IAF Combat Fleet
The proposed acquisition is expected to address the Indian Air Force’s requirement for additional multi-role fighter aircraft as its operational squadron strength remains below sanctioned levels.
The broader Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft requirement is intended to expand India’s combat aircraft fleet while gradually replacing ageing platforms. Industry estimates have valued the potential acquisition at around ₹3.25 lakh crore, making it one of the largest fighter procurement programs undertaken by India in recent decades.
Technology transfer and domestic production are also central to the initiative. Local assembly and manufacturing are expected to generate substantial opportunities across India’s aerospace supply chain, potentially creating one of the country’s largest industrial ecosystems dedicated to combat aircraft production.
India currently operates 36 Rafale fighters with the Indian Air Force and has separately contracted 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for naval aviation. The proposed 114-aircraft program would build on this existing operational experience while significantly increasing domestic industrial participation.
TEJAS MK-2 and AMCA Remain Key Indigenous Programs
Alongside the Rafale procurement, the Ministry of Defence continues to prioritise indigenous fighter aircraft development. Singh stated that the TEJAS MK-2 program remains on schedule, with its maiden flight currently targeted for the middle of next year.
The aircraft’s prototype development and subsequent evaluation by the Indian Air Force will be critical in determining its future procurement numbers. The current projected requirement stands at approximately 120 TEJAS MK-2 aircraft, although the final quantity could depend on prototype performance and operational assessments.
The Defence Secretary also highlighted the importance of a spiral development approach for TEJAS MK-2. Under this model, the aircraft would receive successive capability upgrades to ensure it remains relevant as operational requirements and technologies evolve.
The program is expected to continue under the leadership of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), while private-sector companies are playing an increasingly important role. Indian private firms are already producing sub-assemblies, structural sections, and fuselage components for indigenous aircraft programs, helping expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen the domestic aerospace supply chain.
AMCA Leads India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Strategy
India is also advancing its plans for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which remains the country’s primary fifth-generation fighter initiative.
Singh clarified that India has not decided to join or procure a foreign fifth-generation fighter program. Instead, the government is concentrating its resources on developing an indigenous AMCA capability.
The AMCA program has progressed to the stage where Requests for Proposals have been issued to shortlisted companies. Given the complexity of the project and the fact that some participating entities are entering the advanced fighter development sector for the first time, additional time is expected to be provided for submitting proposals.
The government remains committed to progressing the indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, with AMCA positioned as a cornerstone of India’s long-term combat aviation strategy.
India Pursues a Dual-Track Fighter Modernisation Strategy
The Rafale, TEJAS MK-2, and AMCA programs collectively demonstrate India’s dual-track approach to strengthening its combat aviation capabilities. Foreign fighter procurement can provide the Indian Air Force with an immediate increase in operational capability, while indigenous programs are intended to build long-term expertise in aircraft design, development, manufacturing, and systems integration.
The proposed 114 Rafale acquisition could therefore serve both an operational and industrial purpose by strengthening India’s fighter fleet while expanding domestic participation in advanced aerospace manufacturing.
At the same time, TEJAS MK-2 and AMCA are expected to form important elements of India’s future fighter fleet. Together, these initiatives reflect New Delhi’s broader objective of balancing near-term defence requirements with the long-term development of a self-reliant and globally competitive Indian aerospace industry.
