India set to clear Rs 3.25 lakh crore Rafale deal ahead of Macron's visit

The IAF currently operates about 30 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42.

India is poised to clear a landmark fighter aircraft acquisition for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the Defence Ministry expected to approve the proposal for 114 Rafale jets this week, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to New Delhi, NDTV reported on Tuesday.

The deal, estimated at around Rs 3.25 lakh crore, is set to become the largest defence procurement in India's history. It is likely to receive approval at the Ministry of Defence level and is expected to be highlighted as a key strategic outcome of Macron's visit, underscoring the deepening defence partnership between India and France.

The proposal, which received initial clearance from the Defence Procurement Board last month, is slated for discussion at a high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry in the coming days. Defence sources said the acquisition is critical to addressing the IAF's operational needs amid evolving regional security challenges.

The IAF currently operates about 30 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42. Officials say the shortfall has become more pressing due to rising security concerns, including closer coordination among regional adversaries.

Under the plan, the IAF will acquire a mix of 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat Rafale aircraft. Around 80% of the jets are proposed to be manufactured in India, with France's Dassault Aviation working alongside Indian private-sector partners, giving a significant push to domestic defence production.

The induction of the aircraft is expected to meet the IAF's long-term requirement for advanced 4.5-generation multirole fighter jets. Once the contract is concluded, the IAF's Rafale fleet will expand to 150 aircraft, in addition to 26 carrier-capable Rafales already cleared for the Indian Navy.

President Macron is scheduled to visit India on February 18 to attend the AI summit, during which the Rafale deal is likely to feature prominently in bilateral discussions.