India is negotiating to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets: A $24 billion deal and technology transfer.
New Delhi is finalizing negotiations with Paris for a contract to supply 114 Rafale F4 and F5 aircraft, the majority of which will be manufactured domestically in India.
India and France are currently engaged in in-depth discussions to reach an agreement for the purchase of 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This is one of the largest military deals, with an estimated total value of around 2 trillion rupees (equivalent to 22-24 billion USD), aimed at significantly strengthening the country's air combat capabilities.
Details of the delivery and domestic production roadmap.
According to a report from the Economic Times, the contract includes 90 modern F4 aircraft and 24 F5 aircraft currently under development. To ensure combat readiness in a short timeframe, the first 18 aircraft will be delivered directly from France. Meanwhile, the remaining 96 are expected to be manufactured in India through a comprehensive technology transfer program.
Negotiations are being intensified ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's planned official visit to India in February 2026. The agreement will not only cover the supply of aircraft airframes but also include cooperation in engine development and the establishment of a long-term local maintenance infrastructure.
Direct purchasing strategy and high level of consistency.
The Indian Air Force has proposed a direct government-to-government (G2G) agreement with France instead of a multi-supplier international tender. This option is considered the best way to shorten delivery times and minimize potential cost risks. The procurement process is currently awaiting approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and the Government Security Committee (CCS).
The expansion of the Rafale fleet allows India to fully utilize the existing infrastructure at the Ambala and Hasimara bases, which already have robust bunkers and simulators from the 2016 contract for 36 aircraft. Furthermore, the Indian Navy's selection of 26 Rafale-M aircraft for its aircraft carriers will create significant synergy in training and logistics between the two branches of the armed forces.
Vision of the fifth-generation fighter jet.
While focusing on the Rafale project, the Indian Air Force is still considering interim solutions to fill the capability gap before the domestically produced fifth-generation fighter jet (AMCA) enters mass production in 2035. Potential candidates being considered include Russia's Su-57 and the US F-35. Notably, Russia has offered to manufacture the Su-57 under license in India as part of its efforts to compete in the region's largest defense market.
