France has submitted a detailed technical and commercial proposal to India for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, marking a significant development in one of the country's largest defence acquisition programmes.
The proposed deal, estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore, envisages large-scale local manufacturing of the multi-role fighter jets, providing a major boost to India's indigenous defence production and the 'Make in India' initiative.
Under the proposal, French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, along with its key partners including missile manufacturer MBDA, engine maker Safran and defence electronics firm Thales, plans to manufacture 94 of the 114 aircraft in India in collaboration with domestic industry partners.
The project is expected to create substantial business opportunities for India's private defence sector. Companies such as Tata Group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and other domestic manufacturers could benefit from production and industrial contracts estimated at nearly ₹1.6 lakh crore.
Earlier this year, in May, India issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Ministry of Defence's acquisition wing and the Indian Air Force are currently examining the French proposal and carrying out its technical evaluation.
A key feature of the proposal is the planned integration of indigenous weapon systems into the aircraft manufactured in India. This includes the integration of Indian-made systems such as the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and other indigenous defence equipment.
The Rafale fighter aircraft is expected to play a major role in strengthening the Indian Air Force's future combat capabilities. The aircraft was originally selected by the Ministry of Defence in 2012 after a global competitive evaluation.
With the submission of the detailed proposal, the next phase of technical and commercial discussions between India and France is expected to begin, potentially paving the way for expanded defence cooperation and greater participation of the domestic defence industry in advanced military manufacturing.
