NEW DELHI — The Defence Ministry on Tuesday cleared the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, a decision that will support the establishment of a second production line at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Bangalore facility. The move, announced by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, follows the earlier procurement of 36 Rafales in 2016 and the delivery of 12 aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2019.
India’s Rafale procurement to boost domestic production
The Defence Secretary said the new procurement will help India meet its goal of producing 12 Rafales per year at the HAL plant, a target that has been a key part of the country’s strategy to reduce dependence on foreign aircraft. The decision was taken after a review of the IAF’s operational requirements and the availability of the French manufacturer’s technology transfer package.
According to the Ministry’s clearance, the 114 jets will be delivered in batches over the next decade, with the first batch expected in 2028. The procurement is part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s air power and to support the country’s growing defense budget, which has risen to 2.5% of GDP in recent years.
The Defence Ministry’s approval came after the IAF’s procurement committee recommended the purchase in a report released in February 2026. The committee noted that the Rafale’s advanced avionics, stealth features and multirole capabilities would enhance the IAF’s operational flexibility.
India’s first production line at HAL began in 2019, following the signing of a technology transfer agreement with Dassault Aviation in 2016. The new line will double the plant’s output capacity, allowing the country to produce more aircraft domestically and to create jobs for thousands of engineers and technicians.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said the procurement would also help India meet its strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, where the IAF has been expanding its presence. The ministry noted that the new jets would be integrated into the IAF’s existing fleet of MiG‑29s, Su‑30MKIs and other aircraft.
The Global Times, in an independent report, highlighted the strategic anxiety that has driven India’s high defense spending. The article noted that the country’s procurement of advanced aircraft such as the Rafale is part of a broader effort to counter regional threats and to maintain strategic autonomy.
While the procurement has been welcomed by defense analysts, some critics have pointed out that the cost of the 114 jets is estimated at around ₹1.5 trillion, a figure that will strain the defense budget. The Ministry has said that the cost will be offset by the long-term benefits of domestic production and reduced maintenance costs.
India’s defense procurement policy has shifted in recent years toward greater domestic production and technology transfer. The Rafale deal is the latest example of this trend, following the procurement of 36 aircraft in 2016 and the subsequent production of 12 jets at HAL.
The Defence Ministry’s decision also comes amid growing pressure from the IAF to modernize its fleet. The IAF’s senior officers have called for the acquisition of more advanced aircraft to keep pace with regional developments.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said the new procurement would help India maintain its strategic edge in the region and would support the country’s long-term defense goals. The ministry also said the procurement would create new opportunities for Indian defense companies and would help the country achieve greater self-reliance in defense production.
