- Defence Acquisition Council clears Rafale deal with France
- Indian Air Force to add 114 Rafale jets under new approval
Hyderabad: DAC Approves 114 Rafale Aircraft purchase, further strengthening the Indian Air Force. The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, according to government sources.
India has given the green signal for a major defence deal worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore with France. The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the purchase. Therefore, the Indian Air Force is set to expand its Rafale fleet significantly.
The approval comes as India looks to increase the number of Rafale fighter jets that shook Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India on the 18th of this month. It is noteworthy that the latest deal has been cleared in the context of ongoing bilateral talks between the two countries.
Out of the 114 Rafale fighter jets, 88 will be single seater variants. The remaining 26 will be twin seater variants. This mix aims to support varied operational needs of the Indian Air Force. Meanwhile, the force already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets.
As part of the Make in India program, Rafale’s parent company Dassault Aviation will partner with private companies in India. They will focus on local manufacturing and assembly. Therefore, the deal also aligns with domestic production goals in the defence sector.
The DAC approval marks a significant step in India’s defence preparedness. It also reflects continued cooperation between India and France in strategic sectors. However, further details about timelines and delivery schedules were not disclosed in the information provided.
With the addition of 114 Rafale aircraft, the Indian Air Force will see a substantial boost in its combat strength. The development underlines the government’s focus on modernising the armed forces through high value defence acquisitions. (Maxim News)
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