India on Thursday approved its largest-ever defence acquisition, clearing the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under a government-to-government deal, nearly two decades after the plan was first proposed. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also approved military hardware worth Rs 3.60 lakh crore, including six US-made Boeing P8-I surveillance aircraft for the Navy. Under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, 18 Rafales will be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining jets will be manufactured in India with over 50% indigenous content. The aircraft will be equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and Scalp cruise missiles, boosting the Indian Air Force’s air dominance, long-range strike, and deterrence capabilities. The DAC also approved high-altitude pseudo-satellites (AS-HAPS) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, anti-tank mines, and upgrades for T-72 tanks, BMP-II vehicles, and armoured recovery vehicles. Additionally, four MW marine gas turbine generators and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft were sanctioned for the Navy. Most MRFA jets will be built domestically, strengthening self-reliance and India’s overall defence preparedness.
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