China-Pakistan face setback as India plans to buy 114 new Rafale jets, mega deal worth ₹3.25 lakh crore with France
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Soon after a record increase in the defence budget, India is preparing to significantly strengthen its air power. Amid rising tensions and changing relations with neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, India has outlined a major defence agreement with France. The government is moving forward with a proposal to induct 114 new Rafale fighter jets into the Indian Air Force, with the deal estimated to be worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore.
Key meeting ahead of Macron’s India visit
The process to finalise this mega defence deal has gained momentum. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India in the third week of February and will attend the AI Summit in New Delhi on February 18. According to sources, a high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry is expected next week, just ahead of Macron’s visit, to hold detailed discussions on the Rafale acquisition proposal. The Indian Air Force plan has already received initial clearance from the Defence Acquisition Board and is now moving towards final approval.
Around 80 percent aircraft to be made in India
A major highlight of the deal is its strong focus on the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Out of the 114 Rafale fighter jets, nearly 80 percent are planned to be manufactured in India. The Indian Air Force will receive 88 single-seater and 26 twin-seater aircraft. Most of these jets will be produced in India through collaboration between French company Dassault Aviation and Indian private sector firms. Once the deal is completed, the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet will expand to around 150 aircraft, while the Indian Navy will also operate 26 Rafale Marine jets.
Shrinking squadron strength and rising threats
The deal is considered crucial for the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness. Currently, the Air Force has only about 30 fighter squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42. Growing strategic coordination between Pakistan and China, along with emerging security concerns linked to Bangladesh, has increased threat perceptions. In this context, the Rafale project is expected to help bridge the long-standing shortage of advanced 4.5-generation-plus multirole fighter aircraft.
Historic rise in defence budget
The government has significantly increased spending on military modernisation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allocated a record ₹7.85 lakh crore for the Defence Ministry in the latest Union Budget. This accounts for 14.68 percent of the total budget and reflects a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. Defence expenditure has steadily risen under the current government, from ₹4.84 lakh crore in 2021–22 to ₹7.85 lakh crore now.