India Set To Launch World’s Largest Fighter Jet Procurement Programme
India is moving closer to one of the biggest fighter aircraft deals in global defence history, with plans to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets under a massive new Indian Air Force modernisation programme.
According to sources in India’s defence establishment, the proposal is in the final stages of bureaucratic approval and the official Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued soon.
Under the plan, 22 Rafale fighter jets will be purchased directly from France in fly-away condition, while the remaining 92 aircraft will be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and an Indian private sector company.
The programme is expected to become the largest fighter jet procurement project in the world.
Modi Visit & Air Chief’s France Trip Key To Deal
The development comes ahead of Indian Air Force chief A. P. Singh visiting France next month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit France later this year, during which both countries could announce a broader government-to-government framework for the mega defence deal.
However, sources say the final contract is likely to be signed later during the current financial year.
India To Become First Country Outside France To Build Rafales
Once the project begins, India will become the first country outside France to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft.
The move is being viewed as a major milestone in India’s push to create a domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem under the government’s self-reliance strategy.
Several major Indian firms are reportedly in contention for the manufacturing partnership, including:
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited
• Mahindra Group
• Adani Group
Sources say Indian personnel are already undergoing training with Dassault Aviation in France for outsourcing and manufacturing work linked to the programme.
Indian Firms To Undergo Government Audit
Before manufacturing begins, Indian companies will reportedly undergo detailed government audits.
Only after clearance will they receive licences for fighter aircraft manufacturing. At least two Indian firms are expected to get these licences, after which Dassault Aviation will choose its final production partner.
Officials clarified that fighter aircraft manufacturing licences are separate from transport aircraft approvals.
For example, Tata already holds approval for manufacturing the C-295 transport aircraft in India, while the existing Dassault-Reliance venture is currently linked only to Falcon business jet projects.
Sources said Dassault and its chosen Indian partner are expected to eventually form a dedicated joint venture for Rafale production in India.
Nagpur & Hyderabad Emerge As Major Aerospace Hubs
Multiple locations are reportedly being considered for the Rafale assembly line, including Nagpur and Hyderabad.
Dassault already operates facilities in Nagpur, while Hyderabad has rapidly emerged as one of India’s biggest aerospace manufacturing centres.
According to sources, the government wants aerospace production capabilities spread across different regions instead of remaining concentrated in one location.
India Wants Higher Indigenous Content In Rafales
The long-term objective is to achieve nearly 55 to 60 percent localisation in Rafale production over time.
However, officials said such levels cannot be achieved immediately because India first needs to develop a broader supplier ecosystem and advanced manufacturing base required for fighter aircraft production.
Sources said France proposed a phased indigenisation timeline, but India is pushing for faster localisation and greater indigenous content in a larger number of aircraft.
Dassault-Tata Partnership Already Underway
Last year, Dassault Aviation partnered with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture Rafale fuselage sections in India.
Under the agreement, Tata is setting up a major production facility in Hyderabad to manufacture important structural sections of the Rafale aircraft, including:
• Rear fuselage sections
• Central fuselage
• Front fuselage components
• Lateral shells
The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the production line by FY2028.
The facility is eventually expected to manufacture up to two complete Rafale fuselages every month.
India Focused On Weapon Integration, Not Full Source Code Access
Sources clarified that the Indian Air Force has not demanded complete access to the Rafale fighter jet’s mission source code architecture.
Instead, India’s primary focus is to ensure enough operational flexibility to integrate indigenous Indian weapons and systems onto the aircraft platform.
This would allow India to customise Rafale fighters according to future combat requirements.
Existing Rafale Fleet To Receive Major Upgrade
As part of the proposed agreement, the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet is also expected to be upgraded from the current F3 standard to the advanced F4 configuration.
The newer F4 standard includes:
• Enhanced connectivity
• Improved data sharing
• Advanced communications systems
• Software-defined radios
• Network-centric warfare capabilities
The F4 configuration is also expected to serve as a bridge towards the future Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme being developed by France and its European partners.
First Deliveries Expected Around 2030
If the agreement is signed by early 2027 as currently planned, deliveries of the first fly-away Rafale aircraft are expected to begin from 2030 onwards.
The deal is expected to significantly strengthen India’s air combat capabilities while simultaneously boosting the country’s domestic aerospace manufacturing ambitions.
