India Discusses Procurement Of Dassault Rafale During Air Chief’s France Visit

India is moving ahead with plans to significantly expand its fighter jet fleet, with a proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale aircraft, marking one of the largest defence procurement programmes in the country’s aviation history.

The development comes as Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is on a four-day visit to France, where he is expected to hold discussions with senior officials from French defence companies, including Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, and MBDA, which produces advanced missile systems such as Meteor and SCALP.

According to Defence Ministry sources, India has already submitted an official proposal for the acquisition. France is expected to respond within the next two to three months with details on pricing, production capacity, and logistical support, after which formal negotiations between the two sides are likely to begin. Officials believe the final agreement could be concluded within a year.

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The visit by the Air Force Chief is being viewed as strategically significant, with discussions expected to go beyond aircraft procurement to include potential technology transfer, local manufacturing, and integration of Indian weapon systems. The Government-to-Government framework is expected to remain central to the negotiations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit France in mid-June, and the proposed Rafale deal could feature prominently in bilateral discussions if the visit materialises. Defence officials view high-level political engagement as a key factor in advancing such large-scale strategic agreements.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale jets, while an additional 26 Rafale-M aircraft have already been contracted for the Indian Navy. If the new proposal for 114 jets is approved, India’s total Rafale fleet could rise to 176 aircraft, significantly enhancing its combat capability and addressing the long-standing shortfall in squadron strength.

India’s Air Force is presently operating below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, with only 29 currently active. The proposed acquisition is intended to bridge this gap, especially as older aircraft such as the MiG-21 are phased out, and strengthen operational readiness across both western and northern fronts.

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