Indian Air Force to get more Rafales as DAC clears Rs 3.25 lakh crore defence deal with France

Apart from Rafale, the DAC has also given nod to the acquisition of SCALP cruise missiles, additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and six P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy, CNN-News18 reported, citing sources.

The meeting of the apex defence procurement body was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The approvals come at a time when the Indian Air Force's squadron strength has declined to 29, significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons - the lowest level in decades.

Apart from Rafale, the DAC has also given nod to the acquisition of SCALP cruise missiles, additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.

The approval follows remarks made a day earlier by Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who described the Rafale fighter jet as the "hero" of Operation Sindoor. He indicated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is keen to induct additional multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), with Rafale among the options under consideration.

"Rafale was definitely the hero during Operation Sindoor, among several other heroes," Air Marshal Kapoor said. "The Indian Air Force is looking to induct more MRFA, which could be Rafale or any other aircraft currently under deliberation. A firm decision is yet to be taken. We are seeking newer-generation aircraft to strengthen our inventory."

Addressing reports that alleged strikes were carried out on Pakistan's Kirana Hills during the operation, Kapoor said the IAF had confined its actions to targeting terror infrastructure and certain military installations.

"Whether anything happened there or whether the explosion was due to some other reason, we do not know. Those videos were circulated by their side. We did not strike anything beyond terror camps and military facilities," he stated.