India sanctioned the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets from France on Thursday, signifying one of its biggest aircraft orders, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the country.
The approval was a part of New Delhi’s 3.6 trillion-rupee ($39.7 billion) defense spending package involving multiple acquisitions throughout the armed forces.
The Defense Ministry has not stated the number of aircraft to be ordered. According to local media, India would acquire 114 Rafale jets; 18 of them were to be provided by the manufacturer Dassault, and the other 96 would be domestically manufactured.
The extended package encompasses Boeing P8I Poseidon reconnaissance planes in its navy, anti-tank mines in its forces, and its upgrades to its Soviet-era T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.
As per the 2024 parliamentary report, it is projected that the new aircraft will contribute to the shortfall in the Indian Air Force, as the current fleet of 29 squadrons is insufficient when compared to the minimum requirement of 42 squadrons.
However, the air force has lastly retired two squadrons of Cold War-era MiG-21 fighters in September 2025, and is estimated to withdraw more aircraft in the upcoming years.
The Rafale purchase comes after another order in April of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for India’s Navy. Dassault announced that it would be the first country to use this variant besides France.
Rafale jets were utilized by the Indian Air Force during its 2025 conflict with Pakistan; at least one aircraft was reported lost in combat against Islamabad’s Chinese-made J-10Cs.
Macron will visit India between February 17 and 19, and he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding bilateral collaboration in the fields.
According to the external affairs ministry of India, the two leaders will also introduce the India-France Year of Innovation and participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
The release reported, “The leaders will discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.”
