IAF Clears Proposal to Buy 114 Rafales, Boosting India's Combat Fleet

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received approval from the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) to purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. This move aims to address the shortage of fighter squadrons in the IAF, which currently has around 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42.5. According to officials, the DPB's clearance has paved the way for the proposed acquisition to be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), India's apex military procurement body. The DAC is expected to accord its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the new fighters in the coming months. The proposed acquisition comes at a time when talks with France are focused on localising the Rafales to be made in India, integrating local weapons, and other India-specific requirements. In fact, French plane maker Dassault Aviation has already set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility near Noida for IAF's Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Under the model being considered, the Rafales will be made in India by Dassault Aviation and a local partner, with an expected indigenous content ranging between 30% and 60%. France will supply 18 Rafale jets in fly-away condition, while the remaining 96 will be produced in India. The IAF already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets bought from France at a cost of ₹59,000 crore. Additionally, India has ordered 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France for the navy, which will operate them from its two aircraft carriers. The first deliveries of the Rafale Ms are expected to take place in 2029 and be completed by 2031. This development is significant, particularly ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India in February, during which he will launch the India-France Year of Innovation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposed acquisition is expected to cost around ₹3.25 lakh crore, as previously reported.