The Indian Air Force (IAF) has asked the government to directly sign an agreement with France to buy more Rafale fighter jets. This move is part of the long-awaited plan to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), reported The Times of India.
Most of these jets will be produced in India under the government’s ‘Make in India’ program, in partnership with foreign manufacturers.
According to government sources, the IAF will soon request the initial “acceptance of necessity” (AoN) for the MRFA project. This is the first step in the long procurement process and will be sent to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Rajnath Singh, for approval within the next month or two.
A source told The Times of India, “Government will take the final decision when the MRFA case comes to DAC. But yes, IAF has projected an urgent need for additional Rafales to stem the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons.”
Background: Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Claims
This request follows three months after Operation Sindoor (7–10 May), where Rafales played a major role in long-range attacks across the border with Pakistan.
India has denied any loss of fighter jets and rejected Pakistan’s claim of shooting down six IAF aircraft, including three Rafales. During the conflict, Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10 jets armed with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles. The Indian Army claims to have shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) plane.
MRFA Project Status and IAF Strength
The MRFA plan has been delayed for 7 to 8 years, initially costing over ₹1.2 lakh crore. Currently, the IAF has only 31 fighter squadrons, each with 16 to 18 aircraft. This number will drop to a historic low of 29 next month when the last MiG-21 jets are retired. The sanctioned strength is 42.5 squadrons, needed to face threats from both China and Pakistan—a threat highlighted during Operation Sindoor.
China is also expected to supply Pakistan with around 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters soon.
Need for Fifth-Generation Fighters
The IAF has emphasized its requirement for two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters. It is considering Russia’s Sukhoi-57 and the US’s F-35 jets as options until India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is ready for production, expected around 2035. An official stated, “But no official talks have begun with either Russia or the US yet.”
Benefits of Direct Purchase
The IAF believes buying more Rafales through a direct deal with France is more economical and logistically easier than opening a global tender. Another source added, “The deal can be concluded faster than going in for an open global tender.”
India first acquired 36 Rafales in 2016 under a ₹59,000 crore deal with France. These jets are now stationed at the Ambala and Hasimara air bases. A source said, “Both air bases already have the infrastructure and storage capacity to base at least one more Rafale squadron each.”
Navy Rafale Plans
The Indian Navy will also receive 26 Rafale-M jets to operate from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant between 2028 and 2030. This comes under a ₹63,887 crore (around €7 billion) deal with France signed in April. The source added, “There will be a commonality in platforms and equipment if more Rafales are acquired.”
