India Eyes 110 More Rafale Jets in Direct Deal with France, Fast-Tracking Air Force Modernisation

India is gearing up for one of its most significant defence purchases yet — a direct government-to-government (G2G) deal with France for 110 additional Rafale fighter jets. The move, expected to be initiated later this year, comes at a time when the Indian Air Force (IAF) urgently needs to replenish its shrinking squadron strength due to delays in earlier procurement efforts.

Instead of waiting on the long-stuck Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender — which has been in limbo since 2018 — India is now leaning toward a faster, more streamlined route. The MRFA process, meant to bring in 114 fighter jets, has been bogged down by complications like technology transfer demands and stiff competition between global defence giants. As a result, little progress has been made even after years of deliberation.

By opting for a G2G deal with France, the Indian government hopes to skip the bureaucratic red tape and take advantage of the well-established ecosystem already created around the Rafale jets. India currently operates 36 Rafales in the IAF and has just cleared a ₹63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy, intended for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. With existing training systems, maintenance setups, and supply chains already in place, adding more Rafales through the same route becomes a logical and cost-effective step.

A crucial development tied to this potential deal is French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation’s growing interest in taking full ownership of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), a joint venture located in Nagpur. Set up in 2016 with Reliance Aerostructure, the DRAL facility has been manufacturing Rafale components like wings and fuselage sections. Now, Dassault is reportedly pushing for complete control over DRAL to streamline production and ensure quality — something that became a sticking point during earlier Rafale negotiations with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Dassault believes direct ownership would enable it to maintain high production standards and potentially position the facility to cater to export orders in the future. The French company claims that if it gains full control, the Nagpur unit could produce up to two jets per month, theoretically delivering all 110 jets within five years. However, some defence analysts are cautious, pointing out that Dassault only managed to build 13 Rafales in France in 2023, falling short of its own target.

Still, in line with India’s “Make in India” initiative, Dassault has reportedly committed to sourcing a large portion of aircraft parts from Indian suppliers. The earlier Rafale deal already established a robust supply chain involving major Indian defence players like L&T, Mahindra, Godrej & Boyce, and the Kalyani Group. The company is expected to deepen these partnerships in the new deal, with DRAL potentially acting as the central hub for final assembly and integration.

However, there are concerns within India’s Ministry of Defence about the actual level of indigenous production. Some officials fear that DRAL could end up being more of an assembly line for kits shipped from France rather than a true manufacturing hub, raising questions about meaningful technology transfer. Achieving a 70–75% local content target is seen as a steep challenge, especially given the Rafale’s complexity, involving over 40,000 unique parts.

There’s also unease about the possibility of full foreign ownership of DRAL. Critics argue that this could sideline public-sector entities like HAL and consolidate control over advanced defence technologies in the hands of a few private players.

If the deal goes through, India’s total Rafale fleet would rise to 172 — 36 jets already in service with the IAF, 26 for the Navy, and 110 new additions. This would make India the second-largest operator of Rafale jets after France itself, significantly boosting India’s air power at a time when regional security dynamics are evolving rapidly. With China deploying stealthy J-20 fighters and Pakistan reportedly eyeing advanced jets like the J-35, India’s decision to strengthen its air combat fleet with Rafales could be a game-changer in maintaining strategic balance in the region.

While negotiations are still in early stages, the intent is clear: India is moving swiftly to address its air defence needs, and bypassing tender delays in favour of a direct Rafale deal may be the fastest route to readiness.