India is poised to move forward with a government-to-government (G2G) proposal for 114 additional Rafale fighter jets under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, The Times of India reports.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to submit the case for “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN), an early but essential step in India’s defense procurement process, to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) by October 2025. A final government decision is expected thereafter.
The IAF currently operates 31 fighter squadrons with 16 – 18 jets each, well below the sanctioned strength of 42.5 needed to address simultaneous threats from Pakistan and China. With the retirement of the last MiG-21s scheduled for next month, the fleet will shrink to 29 squadrons — the lowest level in the service’s history.
“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.”
These pressures intensified following Operation Sindoor, conducted from May 7 to 10, 2025, during 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 equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles. India has denied suffering any losses.
The IAF argues that a direct G2G purchase would be more economical and logistically viable than an open global tender. With 36 Rafales already in service, Ambala and Hasimara air bases are fully equipped to host at least one additional squadron each.
The new facility will produce complete fuselage sections, including the front, central, and rear assemblies, for both Indian and potential export aircraft. Production is scheduled to begin in FY2028 at a rate of up to two fuselages per month.
Separately, India is in talks with France’s Safran to co-develop a new high-thrust engine for its future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), expected to enter service around 2035.
The Indian Navy is also set to receive 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighters from 2028 for deployment on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Advocates of the Rafale option say that operating a common platform across both the Air Force and Navy would simplify pilot training, reduce maintenance costs, and streamline spare parts inventories.
IAF officials said the Korean KF-21 Boramae is under consideration for MRFA. Alongside the Rafale, other contenders remain the Lockheed Martin F-21 (a variant of the F-16V), Saab Gripen E/F, Boeing F-15EX, and Eurofighter Typhoon.
India has ruled out buying Lockheed Martin’s F-35A amid an ongoing trade dispute with the US. Indian Air Force also rejected Russian Su-57E concerning immature engine, avionics, and lack AESA radar. Indian Air Force Chief AP Singh said that Su-57E does not meet the characteristics to qualify as a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
The MRFA initiative comes amid reports that Turkey will supply Pakistan with at least 40 KAAN stealth fighters. If concluded, the Rafale order would set a new export record for Dassault Aviation and provide a significant boost to India’s combat capability, while reinforcing its defense and industrial partnership with France at a time of heightened tensions with Islamabad and Beijing.
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