The Defence Ministry of India is set to deliberate on a monumental ₹3.25 lakh crore procurement deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets from France this week.

This high-level meeting, scheduled within the next two to three days, marks a pivotal step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's capabilities amid escalating regional threats.

Top defence sources reveal that the proposal envisages manufacturing these jets in India with approximately 30 per cent indigenous content. This aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative, though it falls short of the typical 50-60 per cent local component mandated in such deals. Indian aerospace firms, including Tata, are poised to participate in the production process.

Under the plan, around 12-18 Rafale jets would be procured in fly-away condition for immediate deployment by the Indian Air Force. A key demand from the Indian side is the integration of indigenous weapons and systems into the French platforms via a government-to-government agreement. Notably, source codes will remain exclusively with the French manufacturer, Dassault Aviation.

This development unfolds against a competitive backdrop, with the United States offering its F-35 stealth fighter and Russia proposing the Su-57 fifth-generation jet. India's decision to advance with Rafale underscores confidence in the platform's proven performance, particularly its Spectra Electronic Warfare suite, which excelled against Chinese PL-15 missiles during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

If greenlit by the Defence Ministry, the proposal will require final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security. The Statement of Case, prepared by the Indian Air Force several months ago, forms the foundation of these discussions. Approval would elevate this to India's largest-ever defence acquisition.

Upon fruition, the deal would expand India's Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft. The Indian Air Force already operates 36 jets, while the Navy ordered 26 last year. This infusion addresses the urgent need to modernise the force structure, projected to centre on Su-30MKIs, Rafales, and indigenous platforms.

Complementing the acquisition, France plans to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility for the Rafale's M-88 engines in Hyderabad. Dassault has already formed a dedicated entity for servicing French-origin fighters in India, enhancing long-term sustainment.

India's procurement strategy reflects broader imperatives. The Indian Air Force faces a depleting squadron strength, prompting accelerated inductions. Recent orders for 180 TEJAS MK-1A jets, alongside ambitions for a fifth-generation indigenous fighter post-2035, signal a balanced approach blending imports with self-reliance.

The Rafale's combat validation in Operation Sindoor has evidently tipped the scales. Its ability to counter advanced threats like the PL-15 demonstrates technological superiority, reinforcing its role in India's multi-front defence posture against China and Pakistan.

Economically, the deal promises significant offsets through local manufacturing and integration. While indigenous content hovers at 30 per cent, it paves the way for skill transfer and industrial growth, involving public and private sector players like HAL and TATA Advanced Systems.

Geopolitically, deepening ties with France via this pact strengthens India's strategic autonomy. It sidesteps dependencies on US or Russian platforms amid global tensions, while France's reliability as a partner—evident in prior Rafale deliveries—builds trust.

Challenges persist, including negotiations over technology transfer and costs. The lower indigenous threshold may draw scrutiny from advocates of higher localisation, yet the urgency of capability gaps justifies the compromise.

Looking ahead, this procurement could reshape regional airpower dynamics. With Rafales forming a high-end backbone, complemented by TEJAS variants and future stealth jets, India aims to maintain numerical and qualitative edges.

The coming days' meeting will be closely watched by defence circles. Success here not only plugs immediate voids but also catalyses India's aerospace ecosystem, aligning with visions like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and Gaganyaan.

Based On ANI Report