India’s biggest-ever fighter jet acquisition worth Rs. 3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale jets is back on the discussion table after a long wait as French President Emmanuel Macron’s Diplomatic Adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, was in India to meet top leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, on Tuesday (January 13, 2026).
The main agenda of the Defence Ministry discussion this week would be the purchase of the Rafale jets, for which the Statement of Case was made by the Indian Air Force recently, according to defence sources.
What is the IAF proposal on Rafale jets?
The IAF proposal is to make nearly 100 Rafale jets in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with over 30 percent local content going into the aircraft made domestically, while 12 to 18 of the Dassault Aviation-built jets are bought off the shelf from France, they said.
But it is too early to see a contract for the Rafales being signed with France when Macron visits India soon this year, as the IAF proposal for purchase also needs a stamp of approval from the highest decision-making body, the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Why does the Rafale deal matter?
When signed, the Rafale contract would be the largest defence deal that India has ever. The additional Rafales would take the IAF’s inventory strength to 150 jets over the next decade. The Indian Navy has ordered an additional 26 Rafale M jets for operating on the aircraft carrier’s flight deck.
The fresh contract for Rafales is a clear indication of the urgency of the Indian armed forces to shore up their modern fighter fleet numbers, to counter the security threat posed by China and Pakistan.
How does local manufacturing of Rafales work?
India is urging France, Dassault Aviation, and its suppliers to find opportunities to indigenise the aircraft to the maximum possible levels over time. However, it is learned that the source codes on the aircraft would still be the Intellectual Property of France and Dassault Aviation.
This could mean integrating India-made weapons and systems, such as avionics, on the French-origin platform, providing a significant boost to the domestic arms economy.
Although India has received open offers from the US and Russia to supply their fifth-generation fighter jets — the F-35 and Su-57, respectively — the IAF has opted for more Rafales due to their proven capabilities and the existing inventory in the air force and navy, which enhances operational efficiency.
How would Macron’s India visit help the deal?
Emmanuel Bonne’s visit to India is a precursor to Macron’s trip later this year, a significant diplomatic engagement for both nations. Bonne’s met with Modi, who reaffirmed the “strong and trusted India–France Strategic Partnership.
Modi also posted on X that the India-France cooperation was growing in defence, innovation, technology, and education as part of the bilateral ‘Year of Innovation.’ Modi mentioned that he was looking forward to Macron’s visit in February to take forward the India-France relationship.
In New Delhi, Bonne co-chaired the 38th India–France Strategic Dialogue with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. In the meeting, both leaders reviewed the bilateral ties in all sectors, especially defence, security, space, nuclear, and technology. Bonne also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
These bilateral engagements were an indicator of how the strategic partnership between India and France was fast entrenching in critical areas for both nations, providing a fillip to the future Rafale deal, which could be signed in the next fiscal beginning April 2026.