On India’s fighter jet acquisitions

India's Rafale jet procurement marks a pivotal shift in defense strategy, balancing assembly capabilities with the need for technological autonomy.

India’s Defence Acquisition Council recently cleared the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. The deal is valued at approximately Rs 3.25 lakh crore.

What followed was a recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India for the A.I. Summit where he committed to ‘technology transfer’ which can significantly elevate the defence capabilities of New Delhi.

Though, this comes with a caveat, reports suggest that France has firmly denied the sharing of the critical source codes which will greatly hamper India’s autonomy in customising the software systems and integrating sensors and radar systems.

This will limit New Delhi’s attempt in indigenising the operations of the Indian Air Force squadron ‘Golden Arrows’. This might also not be the only hiccup India faces in re-positioning itself in the defence hierarchy.

The Indian Air Force operates 29 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42. The MiG-21 fighter jets retired in September 2025 after 62 years. Pakistan maintains around 25 squadrons. China fields around 65. Operation Sindoor in May 2025 exposed this vulnerability through the largest beyond-visual-range engagement in the region’s history.

That reality underpins the Rafale procurement. Of the 114 aircraft, 18 will arrive in fly-away condition. The remaining 96 will be manufactured in India, with indigenous content targeted at 30% initially and 60% eventually.