🗞️ Why in News The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of Rs 3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40 billion) — the largest single defence procurement deal in India’s history, involving both direct delivery jets and a significant Make in India manufacturing component.
The Deal — Key Parameters
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Rafale (multi-role 4.5-generation fighter) |
| Quantity | 114 jets |
| Value | Rs 3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40 billion) |
| Fly-away (direct delivery) | 18 jets |
| Made in India | 96 jets (HAL–Dassault Aviation partnership) |
| Procurement route | Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France |
| Approving body | Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Rajnath Singh |
India’s Total Rafale Fleet — After This Deal
| Batch | Service | Quantity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 deal | Indian Air Force | 36 | Inducted (2020–21) |
| Rafale-Marine (Navy) | Indian Navy (INS Vikrant) | 26 | Approved |
| This deal (Feb 2026) | Indian Air Force | 114 | DAC approved |
| Total | 176 |
Why India Needs More Fighter Jets
India’s Air Force has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons — the minimum considered necessary for a two-front war scenario (China + Pakistan simultaneously). As of early 2026, the IAF operates approximately 31 squadrons, below the critical minimum:
- Ageing fleet: MiG-21 phaseout (originally 1970s Soviet aircraft, upgraded multiple times) is accelerating the squadron deficit. The last MiG-21 squadrons were being retired by 2025–26.
- Limited induction: Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) Mk1A production has been slow; the Mk2 and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) remain in development.
- China factor: The PLA Air Force has inducted J-20 stealth fighters, H-6K strategic bombers, and advanced air defence systems (HQ-9) in Tibet — increasing pressure on IAF’s northern front.
About the Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multi-role combat aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation. Classified as a 4.5-generation fighter (near-peer to F-35), it features:
- SPECTRA electronic warfare suite (active jamming, missile warning, decoy ejection)
- RBE2-AA Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar
- METEOR beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (Ramjet-powered, 100+ km range — among the best in class)
- SCALP/Storm Shadow air-to-ground cruise missile (300+ km range)
- HAMMER precision-guided munition
- Combat radius: ~1,800 km; Max speed: Mach 1.8
India-Specific Enhancements (India Specific Enhancements — ISE): The IAF’s Rafales carry 13 India-specific modifications including:
- Cold start capability (for high-altitude Himalayan bases)
- Israeli helmet-mounted display sight
- Enhanced radar altimeter for mountain flying
- Towed Decoy System (DRDO-developed)
Make in India — HAL Partnership
The 96 Make in India jets will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with Dassault Aviation. This is the most ambitious foreign OEM transfer-of-technology (ToT) agreement India has pursued:
- Technology transfer: Dassault commits to transferring manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul technology
- HAL facility: Likely Nasik (Aircraft Division) and Bengaluru (for AESA radar components and avionics)
- Offset requirements: Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, offset obligations for deals above Rs 2,000 crore require investment back into India’s defence or aerospace sector (minimum 30%)
- DRDO integration: Some weapons and sensors (ASTRA Mk2, DRDO-developed decoys) will be integrated into India-built variants
Procurement Route — IGA vs Open Tender
The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) route was chosen — the same route used for the 2016 deal:
| Route | Process | Used when |
|---|---|---|
| Open global tender | International competitive bidding | For standardised equipment |
| IGA (Government-to-Government) | Direct government deal | Strategic partnerships, unique capability |
| Single vendor | Direct procurement from one vendor | Emergency/critical needs |
Why IGA: The Rafale is not available through open-market competitive bidding for India’s specific combination of IGA pricing, ToT, and strategic partnership terms. The France–India Special Global Strategic Partnership provides a framework for IGA defence procurements.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Rafale (manufacturer Dassault Aviation, France), DAC (composition: Defence Minister chairs; includes Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, R&D head), IGA route, METEOR missile, IAF squadron strength (42 sanctioned), HAL (Nasik Aircraft Division), Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership. Mains GS-3: Defence indigenisation vs. strategic imports; Make in India in defence; India-France bilateral relations and defence cooperation; IAF modernisation challenge.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Rafale 114 Jets Deal:
- Value: Rs 3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40 billion) — India’s largest ever defence deal
- Composition: 18 fly-away + 96 Made in India (HAL–Dassault)
- Route: IGA (Inter-Governmental Agreement) with France
- DAC chaired by: Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister)
- Total Rafale fleet post-deal: 176 jets (36 IAF + 26 Navy + 114 new)
IAF Strength:
- Sanctioned strength: 42 squadrons
- Current: ~31 squadrons
- Deficit: ~11 squadrons (being addressed by Rafale, Tejas Mk1A, eventual AMCA)
Rafale — Technical:
- Generation: 4.5-generation multi-role fighter
- Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation, France
- Radar: RBE2-AA (AESA)
- EW Suite: SPECTRA
- Key missile: METEOR (BVR, ramjet, 100+ km range)
- Air-to-ground: SCALP/Storm Shadow (300+ km cruise missile)
- Max speed: Mach 1.8
India-France Strategic Partnership:
- Established: 1998 (Strategic Partnership)
- Upgraded: Special Global Strategic Partnership (2023)
- Defence cooperation: Rafale jets (2016 deal + 2026 deal), Scorpene submarines (Mazagon Dock), Safran engines (HAL), DRDO cooperation
Other Relevant Facts:
- 2016 Rafale deal: 36 jets, Rs 59,000 crore, fly-away only; first inducted 2020 at Ambala Air Base
- MiG-21 retirement: India’s last MiG-21 squadron being retired ~2025–26; aircraft originally inducted 1963
- LCA Tejas Mk1A: 83 aircraft ordered from HAL; delivery behind schedule
- AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft): 5th-generation indigenous; under development by ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency); expected entry ~2035
- HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited): Founded 1940; HQ Bengaluru; India’s largest defence PSU
Sources: Drishti IAS, AffairsCloud