Hitman
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India is preparing to advance a government-to-government proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, The Times of India reports. The Indian Air Force (IAF) aims to submit the case for “Acceptance of Necessity” to the Defence Acquisition Council by October 2025, with a final government decision expected thereafter.
“Government will take the final decision when the MRFA case comes to DAC,” a source told The Times of India. “But yes, IAF has projected an urgent need for additional Rafales to stem the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons.”
The urgency has increased following Operation Sindoor, conducted from 7 to 10 May 2025, in which Rafales carried out long-range strikes against Pakistani targets. Islamabad claimed to have downed six IAF aircraft, including three Rafales, using Chinese J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, but India has denied suffering any losses.
The IAF contends that a direct G2G purchase would be more economical and logistically viable than an open tender. With 36 Rafales already in service, Ambala and Hasimara air bases are equipped to host at least one additional squadron each.
A key issue is India’s request for access to the Rafale’s source code to integrate indigenous weapons systems. French manufacturers, including Dassault, Safran, Thales, and MBDA, are cautious about granting such access without safeguards to protect proprietary technology.
Franco-Indian industrial cooperation on the Rafale has been expanding. In June 2025, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems signed four Production Transfer Agreements to build Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad, marking the first time such assemblies will be manufactured outside France.
The Hyderabad facility will produce front, central, and rear fuselage sections for both Indian and export aircraft, with production scheduled to start in FY2028 at up to two fuselages per month. Separately, India is negotiating with Safran to co-develop a high-thrust engine for the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, due to enter service around 2035.
The Indian Navy is also set to receive 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighters from 2028 for use aboard INS Vikrant. Supporters of the Rafale option say operating a common platform across the Air Force and Navy would simplify pilot training, reduce maintenance costs, and streamline spare parts supply.
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Link: https://defence-industry.eu/india-c...-jets-under-multi-role-fighter-aircraft-plan/
“Government will take the final decision when the MRFA case comes to DAC,” a source told The Times of India. “But yes, IAF has projected an urgent need for additional Rafales to stem the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons.”
The urgency has increased following Operation Sindoor, conducted from 7 to 10 May 2025, in which Rafales carried out long-range strikes against Pakistani targets. Islamabad claimed to have downed six IAF aircraft, including three Rafales, using Chinese J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, but India has denied suffering any losses.
The IAF contends that a direct G2G purchase would be more economical and logistically viable than an open tender. With 36 Rafales already in service, Ambala and Hasimara air bases are equipped to host at least one additional squadron each.
A key issue is India’s request for access to the Rafale’s source code to integrate indigenous weapons systems. French manufacturers, including Dassault, Safran, Thales, and MBDA, are cautious about granting such access without safeguards to protect proprietary technology.
Franco-Indian industrial cooperation on the Rafale has been expanding. In June 2025, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems signed four Production Transfer Agreements to build Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad, marking the first time such assemblies will be manufactured outside France.
The Hyderabad facility will produce front, central, and rear fuselage sections for both Indian and export aircraft, with production scheduled to start in FY2028 at up to two fuselages per month. Separately, India is negotiating with Safran to co-develop a high-thrust engine for the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, due to enter service around 2035.
The Indian Navy is also set to receive 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighters from 2028 for use aboard INS Vikrant. Supporters of the Rafale option say operating a common platform across the Air Force and Navy would simplify pilot training, reduce maintenance costs, and streamline spare parts supply.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link: https://defence-industry.eu/india-c...-jets-under-multi-role-fighter-aircraft-plan/
