India continues Rafale deal, IAF chief talks in France

Under the proposed arrangement, nearly 90 to 94 aircraft are expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company under the Make in India initiative. File. | Photo credit: Dinakar Peri

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh arrived in France on Monday (June 1, 2026) for a four-day visit amid India’s move to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets worth an estimated ₹3.25 crore.

The visit comes days after the Union Ministry of Defense issued a letter of request to the French government, formally kicking off the acquisition process, sources in one of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) biggest fighter jet procurement programs said.

France is expected to respond within the next two to three months, and negotiations are likely to conclude within a year.

During his visit, the Air Chief Marshal will meet senior French military officials and visit Dassault Aviation, maker of Rafale fighter jets, as well as missile maker MBDA. The proposed acquisition is part of the IAF’s multi-role fighter aircraft program aimed at addressing declining fighter squadron strength.

The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale fighter jets listed under a 2016 India-France agreement and operates with about 29 fighter squadrons against an authorized strength of 42 squadrons.

Under the proposed arrangement, nearly 90 to 94 aircraft are expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company under the Make in India initiative. The remaining aircraft would be delivered directly from France.

The program is expected to achieve around 50% localization and will be the first time Rafale fighters are produced outside of France. The deal is also expected to facilitate the integration of domestic weapons and systems and strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing and operational capabilities.

Published – 1 Jun 2026 22:54 IST