India Set to Approve $36 Billion Rafale Fighter Deal With France

India Rafale Fighter Deal Nears Approval

India is expected to approve a $36 billion Rafale fighter deal with France this week, marking one of the largest military aviation procurements in the country’s history. The agreement would cover 114 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters for the Indian Air Force as New Delhi accelerates combat aircraft modernization.

According to reporting from Indian and international defense media, the aircraft will be delivered without access to Rafale source codes. This restriction is consistent with previous French export practices and limits India’s ability to independently modify core mission systems and software.

The India Rafale fighter deal is expected to include up to 30 percent Indian made content, largely focused on structural components, maintenance support, and selected subsystems rather than sensitive avionics or software.

Deal Structure and Industrial Participation

Under the proposed framework, Dassault Aviation would remain the prime contractor, with French firms retaining control over critical technologies. Indian industry participation would likely involve assembly support, spares production, and long term maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities.

Indian officials have emphasized that local industrial participation supports national defense manufacturing goals, even without full technology transfer. Similar arrangements were used in India’s earlier Rafale acquisition of 36 aircraft signed in 2016.

The Ministry of Defence has not publicly released contract details, but officials familiar with the process indicate the package includes weapons, training, simulators, and logistics support.

Strategic Context

The expanded Rafale fleet would strengthen India’s air combat capability amid regional security pressures and ongoing force structure gaps. The Indian Air Force continues to face declining squadron strength as legacy aircraft retire faster than replacements enter service.

France has positioned the Rafale as a reliable export platform, citing operational use with the French Air and Space Force and multiple international customers.

If approved, the India Rafale fighter deal would further deepen defense ties between New Delhi and Paris, reinforcing France’s role as one of India’s key strategic defense partners.