TSAMTO, January 13. India and France are finalizing negotiations on the possible acquisition of Rafale fighter jets by the French company Dassault as part of a long-delayed program for the purchase of 114 multirole fighters (MRFA).
According to the Indian edition of The Economic Times, India and France are negotiating the possible purchase of up to 114 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force, including 90 standard F4, and in the future – 24 standard F5. An option is being considered in which 18 aircraft will be delivered ready-made directly from France, and the remaining 96 will be produced in India with technology transfer. The total amount of the potential contract is estimated at about 2 trillion. Indian rupees (about 22-24 billion dollars).
The discussions, which are taking place ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India scheduled for February 2026, include local manufacturing, engine development, and infrastructure development for long-term maintenance in India.
As part of the current approach, the Indian Air Force has officially offered to purchase Rafale fighters through a direct intergovernmental agreement, rather than through a full-scale competition involving multiple suppliers. The purchase is expected to go through the approval of the Defense Procurement Board (DAC) of the Indian Ministry of Defense, followed by cost negotiations and final approval by the Government of India's Security Committee (CCS) with corresponding appropriations in India's annual defense budget.
As reported by CAMTO, it became known in August last year that the Indian Air Force would propose to the country's leadership to conclude a direct intergovernmental agreement with France, providing for a significant increase in the fleet of Rafale multipurpose fighters from Dassault.
A direct interstate agreement will allow for shorter delivery times and lower costs compared to the opening of a new international competition. The proposal also provides for the production of most of the new Rafales in India.
The Rafale fleet expansion plan provides for the comprehensive use of facilities already prepared for 36 aircraft in service under the intergovernmental agreement with France of 2016. The Ambala and Hasimara airbases are equipped with reinforced shelters, weapons depots, simulators and maintenance hangars specially designed for the Rafale platform. The bases can accommodate at least one more Rafale squadron each without significant investment in new infrastructure.
The Indian Navy's parallel acquisition of 26 Rafale-M carrier-based fighters, approved in April 2025, will ensure the unification of training, maintenance, and supply of weapons and spare parts for the Air Force and Navy. Aircraft for the Navy should be received in 2028-2030.
At the same time, in August last year, it became known that the Indian Air Force also plans to purchase from two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter aircraft as a temporary solution before the start of mass production by 2035 of its own combat aircraft according to the AMCA project. The Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 are being considered.
A month later, it became known that the Indian Air Force was exploring the possibility of purchasing at least two squadrons of Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighters, and would also consider a Russian proposal for their licensed production.
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According to Indian media, the defining feature of the 114 aircraft proposal is the emphasis on domestic production as an integral part of the deal, rather than as a secondary element.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited has already signed agreements with Dassault Aviation for the production of Rafale fuselage sections in India, including support for a specialized manufacturing facility under construction in Hyderabad. The plant is designed to produce four main fuselage sections for both Indian needs and Dassault's global Rafale orders, which directly links Indian production to the broader supply chain. The plant is expected to start delivering fuselages by fiscal year 2028 and will have a production capacity of up to 24 fuselages per year.
The industrial scope of the Rafale program in India goes beyond airframe work and includes infrastructure for power plants and maintenance. Current projects include plans to establish an engine manufacturing plant in Hyderabad and a maintenance, repair and overhaul center near Gewar in Uttar Pradesh, designed to support the Rafale fleet of both the Air Force and Navy.
Combined with the production of fuselages, these elements are said to be able to provide up to 60% of the cost of Rafale production and maintenance in India throughout the aircraft's life cycle.
