India has approved a major acquisition of Rafale fighter jets from France as part of a sweeping defence modernisation push that spans air, naval, and ground forces.
The clearance came on Thursday under a broader 3.6 trillion rupee ($39.7 billion) military procurement package.
The move also comes days before French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India, signalling closer defence and strategic ties between the two nations at a time when regional security and technological cooperation are becoming increasingly central to bilateral relations.
Rafale order expands air force rebuild
India’s defence ministry confirmed the Rafale procurement but did not disclose the number of aircraft included in the approval.
Local media reports indicated the order could involve 114 jets, with French manufacturer Dassault supplying 18 directly and the remaining 96 produced domestically.
The purchase is intended to strengthen the Indian Air Force, which has faced declining squadron numbers.
According to a 2024 parliamentary report, the force currently operates 29 squadrons, well below the required strength of 42.
The gap has widened following the retirement of two MiG-21 squadrons in September 2025.
Additional legacy aircraft are also expected to be phased out in the coming years, making new acquisitions essential to maintaining operational capacity.
India had already moved to expand its Rafale fleet earlier this year. In April, the country approved the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Navy.
Dassault stated that India would become the first nation outside France to operate this naval variant, expanding its air combat capabilities beyond land-based operations.
Defence package covers air, land, and naval upgrades
The Rafale approval forms part of a much wider defence acquisition programme spanning multiple branches of the armed forces.
The package includes Boeing P8I Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft to enhance maritime surveillance, along with anti-tank mines to strengthen ground defence capabilities.
India also plans to upgrade its existing armoured units, including Soviet-era T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.
These modernisation efforts are aimed at extending the service life and effectiveness of older platforms while improving overall combat readiness.
The combined acquisitions reflect India’s broader effort to address equipment gaps across its military while replacing ageing systems with newer technology.
Rafale role grows after combat experience
The Rafale fighter has already played an operational role in India’s recent military activities.
During the 2025 conflict with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force deployed Rafale jets.
At least one aircraft was reported lost in combat against Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10C fighters.
The experience highlighted both the operational importance of the aircraft and the continued focus on strengthening India’s air superiority capabilities.
The latest procurement is expected to increase fleet size and support future defence requirements.
Macron visit highlights strategic cooperation
The Rafale approval comes shortly before French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to India from Feb. 17 to Feb. 19.
Macron is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, technology, and artificial intelligence.
The leaders will launch the India-France Year of Innovation and attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
India’s external affairs ministry said discussions would also cover regional and global issues, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The timing of the defence approval reinforces the growing strategic relationship between India and France, particularly in defence procurement, innovation, and security collaboration.
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