Archive · 17 Jan 2026
India Approves 114 Rafale Jets Purchase
India has taken a big step to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
This is the biggest defense deal ever for India, costing about ₹3.25 lakh crore.
Most of these jets will be made in India, with some parts coming from France.
The Indian Air Force needs more jets because they currently have fewer than half of the jets they are supposed to have.
The deal might be officially announced when the French President visits India in February.
India chose these jets over newer ones from the US and Russia.
The Indian Air Force already has 36 Rafale jets, and the Navy has ordered 26 more.
Tata Advanced Systems will set up a factory in Hyderabad to make parts of the jets, starting in 2028.
The Defence Procurement Board approved the proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
The deal, valued at around ₹3.25 lakh crore, is India's largest-ever defense acquisition.
Most jets will be manufactured in India with 30% indigenous content, and 12-18 will be delivered from France.
The proposal will be presented to the Defence Acquisition Council and requires final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The Indian Air Force's squadron strength has fallen to 29, against a sanctioned strength of 42.
- Who
- Indian Defence Procurement Board, Dassault Aviation, Indian Air Force, Tata Advanced Systems Limited
- What
- Approval of a proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets
- When
- Proposal cleared; final approval pending; potential announcement in February
- Where
- India, France
- Why
- To bolster India's air power and address the historic low squadron strength of the Indian Air Force
- Number of Jets
- 114
- Estimated Cost
- ₹3.25 lakh crore
- Manufacturer
- Dassault Aviation
- Indigenous Content
- 30%
- Flyaway Aircraft from France
- 12 to 18
- Current IAF Squadron Strength
- 29
- Sanctioned IAF Squadron Strength
- 42
- Current Rafale Jets in IAF
- 36
- Rafale-Marine Jets for Navy
- 26
- Rafale-Marine Deal Cost
- ₹63,000 crore
- Production Facility Location
- Hyderabad
- Expected Production Start
- FY2028
- Monthly Production Capacity
- 2 fuselages
Sources
Defence Board Clears 114 Rafale Jet Proposal Worth ₹3.25 Lakh Crore
114 Rafale deal moves forward: Defence Procurement Board gives green signal
Defence Procurement Board Approves Proposal To Acquire 114 Rafale Jets
India approves proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets
Govt green-lights plan to buy 114 French Rafale jets
India approves largest-ever defence acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets
