In a landmark defense procurement move, India’s Ministry of Defence has granted preliminary approval for the purchase of 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. The monumental deal, if finalized, would represent the largest single contract in Dassault’s history and is equivalent in size to the entire current Rafale fleet operated by the French Air and Space Force.
A Contract of Historic Proportions
The approval was given by India’s Defense Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on February 12. This potential order follows India’s previous acquisition of 36 Rafales for its air force in 2015 and 26 naval variants confirmed in April 2025. Valued at an estimated €33 billion, the contract’s announced price surpasses France’s annual record for defense orders. Officials note the figure likely includes a wide array of armaments, such as Scalp cruise missiles, Boeing P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft, and high-altitude surveillance balloons.
Strategic “Make in India” Assembly
To fulfill the massive order, the majority of the aircraft are expected to be assembled in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative. The primary production site is slated to be an existing facility in Nagpur, jointly owned by Dassault and its Indian partner, Reliance. Dassault recently secured a 51% controlling stake in this joint venture, ensuring French oversight over the local assembly process—a critical point that had previously stalled a similar large-scale deal over a decade ago.
Replacing an Aging Fleet
The colossal purchase addresses India’s urgent need to modernize its air force amid regional tensions with China and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force currently operates only 29 fighter squadrons against a stated requirement of 42. This Rafale order is a key part of the strategy to replace aging Russian MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Anglo-French Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s that are being phased out of service.
Solidifying the Rafale’s Export Legacy
This deal would propel the Rafale past a significant commercial milestone. With 299 export units already sold, plus 24 used aircraft, this new order of 114 would push total export orders beyond 400 units. Combined with orders from the French military, the total number of Rafales sold would approach 650, surpassing the sales record of its predecessor, the Mirage 2000.
The final contract is anticipated to be announced during an upcoming state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to India, marking a new chapter in Franco-Indian defense cooperation and industrial partnership.
