Archive · 1 Oct 2026
India’s 114-Jet Rafale Deal Expected To Advance By Year-End
India wants to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets.
Officials are checking the offers that companies submitted.
They hope to finish this part of the purchase process by the end of the financial year.
Most of the new aircraft would be assembled in India.
Indian weapons and systems would be added to the aircraft.
The French company has also agreed to add Indian weapons to some Rafale Marine aircraft already ordered.
India is developing its own LCA Mk2 fighter, which is expected to begin flight trials next year.
The AMCA fighter programme has reached the stage where shortlisted companies have been asked to submit proposals.
India’s proposed purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets is expected to reach a conclusion by the end of the financial year.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said the submitted bids are undergoing formal evaluation.
The programme would involve assembling most aircraft in India, with Indian weapons and systems integrated into them.
The French firm has agreed to integrate Indian weapons into already contracted Rafale Marine aircraft as well.
The LCA Mk2 and AMCA programmes are also progressing, with LCA Mk2 flight trials planned for next year and AMCA RFPs invited.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Defence and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh are overseeing the procurement process, with bids submitted by shortlisted vendors.
- What
- India is evaluating bids for 114 Rafale fighter jets under a buy-and-make programme involving Indian assembly, weapons integration and indigenisation.
- When
- The Defence Secretary spoke on Thursday and said a conclusion is expected before the end of the financial year; LCA Mk2 flight trials are planned for the middle of next year.
- Where
- The announcement was made in New Delhi, while most of the Rafale aircraft are planned to be assembled in India.
- Why
- India is seeking greater domestic production, indigenisation and integration of Indian systems and weapons.
- Proposed acquisition
- 114 Rafale fighter jets
- Procurement status
- Bids submitted under the request-for-proposal stage are being formally evaluated.
- Expected timeline
- A conclusion is expected before the end of the financial year, also described as before the end of the year.
- Production model
- The programme is planned as a buy-and-make arrangement, with most aircraft assembled in India.
- Indian integration
- Indian weapons and systems are expected to be integrated into the aircraft.
- LCA Mk2
- The first flight is scheduled for the middle of next year, subject to prototype delivery and evaluation.
- AMCA
- Requests for proposals have been invited from shortlisted vendors.