New Delhi: India is poised to sign a landmark defence agreement with France for the procurement of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets at an estimated cost of ₹3.25 lakh crore, making it the largest defence deal in the country’s history, sources said.
The proposed agreement has already received approval from the Ministry of Defence and is expected to be finalised ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India later this month. The deal is aimed at significantly strengthening the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat and deterrence capabilities amid evolving regional and global security challenges.
Composition of the Rafale Fleet
According to sources, of the 114 Rafale aircraft to be procured:
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88 will be single-seat fighter jets
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26 will be twin-seat variants
These advanced multirole fighter jets are expected to enhance the IAF’s operational readiness, air superiority, and precision strike capabilities across multiple theatres.
At present, the Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets, inducted following an earlier government-to-government agreement with France. The addition of 114 more aircraft will mark a major expansion of India’s frontline fighter fleet.
Deal Likely During Macron’s New Delhi Visit
President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit New Delhi on February 18 to attend an international AI Summit. During his visit, India and France are expected to sign multiple bilateral agreements spanning defence, technology, and strategic cooperation.
The Rafale agreement is likely to be one of the key highlights of the visit, underscoring the deepening defence and strategic partnership between the two countries.
Boost to Defence Modernisation and Strategic Ties
Officials said the proposed procurement aligns with India’s long-term defence modernisation roadmap and its focus on strengthening air power capabilities. The deal also reflects the growing trust and collaboration between New Delhi and Paris, particularly in the areas of defence manufacturing, technology transfer, and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Once finalised, the agreement is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing India’s air combat strength, improving force readiness, and reinforcing deterrence capabilities at a time of heightened regional security dynamics.
