New Delhi, February 13, 2026 — India has taken a historic step in modernizing its air capabilities, approving a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the programme, marking the largest defence procurement in India’s history.

 

Of the 114 aircraft, 18 will be acquired off-the-shelf from France, while the remaining 96 will be manufactured in India, highlighting a major technology transfer initiative aligned with the government’s ‘Make in India’ programme. The acquisition requires final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Strategic Impact

 

The Rafale jets will enhance the IAF’s air dominance and long-range strike capabilities. Additional procurements cleared by the DAC include combat missiles, a high-altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS) for intelligence and surveillance, and upgrades for Army and Navy platforms, including T-72 tanks, armoured recovery vehicles, and P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

 

Existing Rafale Fleet and Naval Expansion

 

Currently, the IAF operates 36 Rafale aircraft across two squadrons, with the last ‘C’ variant delivered in December 2024. The Indian Navy has also ordered 26 Rafale ‘M’ variants for aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, including a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) agreement for fleet support.

 

This procurement signals India’s commitment to indigenous defence production while significantly boosting its aerial combat and deterrence capabilities.