The Narendra Modi-led central government has decided to buy another fleet of Rafale fighter jets after considering the immediate needs of the Indian Air Force and the synergy between IAF and Dassault Aviation.
Rafale fighter jets: In a major development that could provide a significant boost to India’s air superiority in South Asia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is mulling to acquire a new fleet of 40 more Rafale fighter jets from France. According to reports, a government-to-government (G2G) agreement will be signed between the two countries during French Defense Minister, Sébastien Lecornu’s visit to India later this month.
According to IAF’s operational guidelines, it needs to have 42.5 squadrons against the current 31, to maintain operational readiness, and experts have warned that this may pose difficulties in maintaining aerial superiority in the event of a two-front war with China and Pakistan.
IAF chief raises concerns
Earlier this year, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, voiced concerns over the rapid decline in the number of combat-ready fighter jets in IAF fleet. Speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, the IAF chief stressed the need for adding at least 35-40 new fighter jets each year to compensate for the shortage of squadrons and the aging fleet currently operated by the Air Force.
The Air Chief had also raised concern over the delay in the delivery of the indigenously-developed Tejas fighter aircraft amid the rising air power and threat posed by India’s northern and western neighbors, stating that the IAF began inducting the Tejas jets in 2016, but even in 2024 the air force is yet to receive the 40 aircraft which were ordered earlier.
Notably, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is scheduled to deliver 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets by 2030, but the timeline seems unlikely as due to delay in production.
Under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, the IAF is looking to acquire 114 combat jets, but no tender has been issued by the government in this regard so far, with reports saying the project is on ice because a Request for Proposal (RFP) has not been issued.
New Rafale fighter jets for Indian Air Force
However, insiders say that the Narendra Modi-led central government has decided to buy another fleet of Rafale fighter jets after considering the immediate needs of the Indian Air Force and the synergy between IAF and Dassault Aviation, the French defence manufacturer who makes the Rafale fighter jets.
As per reports, high-level talks have already taken place between Indian and French officials, during were discussions were also held to purchase Safran fuel for the helicopters built in India and for the the second batch of Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. “Both sides have reached a strategic understanding. This is not just a purchase, it is part of an ongoing plan,” a senior official was quoted as saying.
Indian Navy to get 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets
In a related development, last week, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved India’s largest-ever fighter jet deal, clearing the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal, worth over Rs 63,000 crore, will be executed under a government-to-government agreement with France, ANI reported, citing government sources told ANI.
As per the report, the contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine jets, and also comprises a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing components under offset obligations.
Deliveries of the Rafale M jets are expected to begin approximately five years after the deal is signed, and the combat planes will be deployed on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, and will complement the Navy’s existing MiG-29K fleet, it said, adding that delivery is scheduled to begin by 2028 and all the fighter jets will be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2031.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Rafale jets at its bases in Ambala and Hashimara.
