The Indian Air Force (IAF) has submitted a proposal to the Defense Ministry for the acquisition of 114 'Make in India' Rafale fighter jets. These aircraft will be collaboratively built with French company Dassault Aviation and Indian aerospace firms. The deal could exceed two trillion rupees, with over 60% of the equipment sourced domestically.
Defense officials reported that the IAF's Statement of Case (SoC) reached the ministry a few days ago. The proposal will soon be reviewed by the Defense Procurement Board (DPB) led by the Defense Secretary, before further deliberation by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC). Upon approval, it will mark India's largest defense agreement to date.
The Navy Orders 36 Rafale Marine Jets
This acquisition will raise the number of Rafale aircraft in the Indian Armed Forces to 176. The IAF already possesses 36 Rafale fighter jets, while the Navy has placed orders for 36 Rafale Marine jets. This proposal follows Operation Sindhur, during which Rafale jets demonstrated exceptional performance against Pakistan. Their Spectra electronic warfare system effectively neutralized Chinese PL-15 missiles.
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Tata's Involvement in Rafale Manufacturing
The new Rafale jets manufactured in India might be equipped with long-range air-to-ground missiles, superseding the current SCALP missiles. Dassault Aviation plans to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center for M-88 engines in Hyderabad. The company has already set up a unit for servicing the French jets. Private Indian companies like Tata will play a critical role in manufacturing these aircraft.
With intensifying threats along the borders with China and Pakistan, the IAF's demand for fighter jets is surging. The future fleet of the Indian Air Force will primarily comprise Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and indigenous initiatives. Recently, the Indian government placed orders with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 97 LCA MK-1A jets, costing an estimated 620 billion rupees. An order for 83 LCA MK-1A jets worth 480 billion rupees was placed in 2021.
