India to Purchase 114 Additional Rafale Jets Boosting IAF Strength

With the air force's squadron strength declining, the procurement aligns with India's defense modernization and self-reliance initiatives.

Gopi

•February 13, 2026•5 mins read

India clears ₹3.60 lakh crore defence boost with 114 Rafale jets.

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1. Strategic Context: Strengthening India’s Air Power Through MRFA Procurement

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement proposals worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, including 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) — Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This marks one of the largest defence acquisition approvals in recent years and signals a major step toward modernising India’s air combat capability.

The decision comes at a time when the IAF’s operational strength has fallen to 29 fighter squadrons, significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The retirement of the MiG-21 in September and the impending phase-out of ageing platforms such as early variants of MiG-29, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000 have created capability gaps.

The majority of the 114 MRFA jets are proposed to be manufactured in India, reflecting an alignment with the broader push for indigenisation and self-reliance in defence production. This procurement aims to restore numerical strength while also enhancing qualitative superiority.

“The procurement of MRFA will enhance the capability of undertaking air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost the deterrence capabilities of IAF with long range offensive strikes.” — Defence Ministry Statement

The strengthening of air power directly contributes to deterrence, territorial integrity, and crisis response capability. If squadron depletion continues without replacement, it risks strategic vulnerability and weakens India’s capacity to manage two-front contingencies.

Key Data:

Total proposals cleared: ₹3.60 lakh crore
MRFA procurement: 114 aircraft
Current IAF squadrons: 29
Sanctioned strength: 42 squadrons

2. Capability Enhancement: Combat Missiles and AS-HAPS

Alongside MRFA acquisition, AoN has been approved for Combat Missiles and Air-Ships Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems.

The Combat Missiles are designed to enhance stand-off ground attack capability, enabling deep-strike operations with high precision. Stand-off capability reduces pilot risk and increases survivability by allowing engagement from beyond enemy air defence systems.

The AS-HAPS platforms are intended for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), telecommunications, and remote sensing. High-altitude pseudo-satellites bridge the gap between satellites and drones, offering long-endurance surveillance at lower cost compared to space-based systems.

These additions signify a shift from mere platform acquisition to network-centric and information-dominant warfare capabilities.

Modern warfare increasingly depends on precision and information superiority rather than sheer numbers. Failure to invest in ISR and stand-off systems can result in strategic blindness and operational disadvantage during high-intensity conflict.

Functional Roles:

Combat Missiles:

Deep-strike capability
High-accuracy stand-off attacks

AS-HAPS:

Persistent ISR
Electronic Intelligence
Telecommunications support
Remote sensing for military operations

3. Joint Force Modernisation: Army and Navy Upgrades

The DAC approvals extend beyond the IAF and encompass capability upgrades for the Army and Navy, reflecting a tri-service modernisation approach.

For the Indian Army, clearance has been granted for procurement of Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav) and overhaul of vehicle platforms including Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks, and BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles. These measures aim to enhance battlefield survivability and extend the service life of existing platforms.

The Navy has received clearance for:

04 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based Electric Power Generator (under Make-I category of DAP 2020)
Additional P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft

The Marine Gas Turbine project seeks to reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers and promote self-reliance in naval power generation systems. The P8I aircraft will strengthen anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime surveillance, and maritime strike capability, crucial in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Integrated modernisation across services enhances jointness and deterrence. Neglecting one service domain can create asymmetrical vulnerabilities, especially in an era of hybrid and multi-domain warfare.

Army Upgrades:

Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav) for mechanised force denial

Overhaul of:

T-72 Tanks
BMP-II
Armoured Recovery Vehicles

Navy Upgrades:

04 MW Marine Gas Turbine (Make-I category)
P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft

4. Self-Reliance and Defence Industrial Policy

A significant feature of the MRFA procurement is that the majority of aircraft are expected to be manufactured in India. This aligns with the objectives of:

Atmanirbhar Bharat
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
Indigenous manufacturing under Make-I category

Local production enhances technology transfer, supply-chain development, employment generation, and reduces long-term import dependence. It also strengthens India’s strategic autonomy in defence procurement.

The Marine Gas Turbine approval under the Make-I category reflects policy emphasis on indigenously designed and developed defence systems funded partly by the government.

Defence indigenisation reduces strategic vulnerability arising from external supply disruptions. Without domestic manufacturing capacity, geopolitical shifts can directly impact operational readiness.

5. Strategic and Geopolitical Implications

The approval of Rafale procurement comes shortly before the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the strategic depth of India–France defence cooperation.

France has emerged as a key defence partner, particularly in aerospace and maritime domains. Continued collaboration strengthens India’s diversification of defence partnerships, reducing overdependence on any single supplier nation.

Enhanced air dominance, deep-strike capability, and maritime surveillance collectively contribute to India’s deterrence posture in a volatile regional security environment.

Defence partnerships are not merely transactional but strategic instruments of foreign policy. Failure to cultivate diversified partnerships may limit diplomatic leverage and technology access.

Conclusion

The DAC’s clearance of ₹3.60 lakh crore worth of defence proposals marks a comprehensive push toward capability enhancement, indigenisation, and tri-service modernisation. By addressing squadron shortages, upgrading legacy systems, and strengthening ISR and maritime capacities, India is reinforcing both deterrence and strategic autonomy.

Sustained focus on timely implementation, indigenous production, and joint operational integration will determine whether these approvals translate into long-term national security resilience and defence preparedness.

Quick Q&A

Everything you need to know

The procurement of 114 MRFA, likely Rafale jets, addresses a critical capability gap in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF’s squadron strength has declined to around 29 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42. With the retirement of the MiG-21 and the impending phase-out of ageing platforms like early MiG-29 variants, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000, India faces an urgent need for modern, versatile aircraft.

MRFA platforms enhance air dominance and deterrence capabilities. These aircraft are designed for multi-role operations, including air superiority, ground attack, and long-range offensive strikes. Equipped with advanced avionics, beyond-visual-range missiles, and precision-guided munitions, they significantly improve India’s readiness across the spectrum of conflict.

Strategically, this procurement strengthens deterrence posture. In a volatile regional security environment, modern fighter aircraft ensure credible deterrence, rapid response capability, and the ability to project power beyond immediate borders.

Domestic manufacturing aligns with India’s objective of defence indigenisation. By producing the majority of MRFA within India, the country reduces long-term dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthens its domestic aerospace ecosystem.

Economically, local production generates employment and technology transfer. Assembly lines, supply chains, and maintenance infrastructure create high-skilled jobs and enhance industrial capacity. This also supports the broader vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence manufacturing.

Strategically, indigenous capability improves operational sustainability. In times of conflict, reliance on external suppliers for spares and maintenance can pose vulnerabilities. Domestic production mitigates such risks while enhancing long-term self-reliance.

Combat Missiles strengthen stand-off and deep-strike capabilities. These missiles allow aircraft to strike high-value targets from a safe distance, reducing exposure to enemy air defences. Their high accuracy enhances mission effectiveness while minimising collateral damage.

Air-Ships Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) platforms provide persistent surveillance. Operating at high altitudes for extended durations, they support Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic intelligence, telecommunications, and remote sensing. This improves situational awareness and battlefield transparency.

Together, these systems reflect the evolution toward network-centric warfare. Integration of precision strike and persistent ISR enhances joint operational capability, enabling faster decision-making and coordinated responses.

The large-scale defence procurement strengthens national security preparedness. Modernisation of the Air Force, Army, and Navy enhances deterrence and operational readiness amid regional security challenges.

However, such massive expenditure raises fiscal considerations. Defence allocations must balance capital expenditure with social sector priorities like health and education. Efficient procurement processes, transparency, and life-cycle cost assessment become essential to ensure value for money.

From a strategic standpoint, investments in indigenous production and Make-I initiatives can offset fiscal burdens by generating domestic industrial growth. The challenge lies in aligning defence preparedness with sustainable economic planning.

In a two-front scenario, air superiority and rapid mobilisation become critical. The induction of MRFA would strengthen squadron strength, enabling simultaneous deployment across theatres. Combat missiles would provide deep-strike options against strategic targets without exposing pilots to high risk.

AS-HAPS platforms would enhance persistent ISR capabilities. Real-time surveillance across borders would improve early warning and situational awareness. Similarly, Army upgrades such as Vibhav anti-tank mines and overhaul of T-72 and BMP-II platforms would delay and deter mechanised advances.

The Navy’s induction of P8I aircraft and indigenous marine power systems would strengthen maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare, ensuring protection of sea lanes. Collectively, these acquisitions enhance integrated theatre preparedness.

The P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft significantly enhances anti-submarine and maritime strike capability. Given the increasing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region, persistent maritime surveillance is essential to secure sea lanes and monitor adversarial naval movements.

The induction of 04 MW Marine Gas Turbine based Electric Power Generators under the Make-I category reduces dependency on foreign manufacturers and strengthens indigenous capability in naval power systems. This enhances operational readiness and maintenance autonomy.

Together, these measures reinforce India’s maritime doctrine. As a net security provider in the Indian Ocean, robust naval capability ensures trade security, energy supply protection, and regional stability.