The Indian Air Force (IAF) has urged the government to directly sign an agreement with France to buy more Rafale fighter jets. This is part of the long-delayed plan to acquire 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), The Times of India reported.
‘Make in India’ Plan for Local Production
Most of these new fighter jets are expected to be made in India under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. This program encourages building aircraft domestically in partnership with foreign companies.
Next Step: Approval from Defence Acquisition Council
Government sources told The Times of India that the IAF will soon seek the “acceptance of necessity” (AoN) for the MRFA project. This is the first step in a long procurement process and needs approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The approval is expected within the next one or two months.
A government source said, “Government will take the final decision when the MRFA case comes to DAC. But yes, IAF has projected an urgent need for additional Rafales to stem the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons.”
Background: Operation Sindoor and Tensions with Pakistan
This push for more Rafales comes three months after Operation Sindoor (May 7–10), when the Rafale jets played a key role in long-range attacks across the border with Pakistan.
India has not confirmed losing any fighters and has dismissed Pakistan’s claim that it shot down six Indian jets, including three Rafales. During the clashes, Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10 jets armed with PL-15 long-range missiles. Meanwhile, the Indian Army claims it shot down five Pakistani jets and an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft.
MRFA Project Delay and Fighter Squadron Shortage
The MRFA project has been on hold for seven to eight years. Its initial estimated cost was over ₹1.2 lakh crore. Meanwhile, the IAF’s strength has fallen to 31 fighter squadrons, each with 16 to 18 aircraft. This number will drop to a record low of 29 next month as the last MiG-21 jets retire.
The sanctioned strength is 42.5 squadrons to handle threats from both China and Pakistan, concerns made clearer during Operation Sindoor. China is expected to supply Pakistan soon with at least 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters.
Need for Fifth-Generation Fighters
The IAF also wants two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters. It is considering Russia’s Sukhoi-57 and America’s F-35 until India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is ready for production, expected by 2035. “But no official talks have begun with either Russia or the US yet,” an official said.
Benefits of Direct Deal with France
The IAF argues that buying more Rafales directly from France would be more economical and logistically easier than launching an open global tender. “The deal can be concluded faster than going in for an open global tender,” a source explained.
India received 36 Rafale jets under a ₹59,000 crore government-to-government agreement with France in 2016. These jets are based at Ambala and Hasimara air bases. “Both air bases already have the infrastructure and storage capacity to base at least one more Rafale squadron each,” said a source.
Navy’s Rafale-M Acquisition
The Indian Navy will also get 26 Rafale-M jets to operate from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant between 2028 and 2030. This comes under a ₹63,887 crore (almost €7 billion) deal with France signed in April. “There will be a commonality in platforms and equipment if more Rafales are acquired,” added the source.