India's 114 Rafale Deal Gets New Push as Dassault Aviation takes Charge
Dassault Aviation has made a major decision for India's ₹3.25 lakh crore Rafale deal that could change the future of fighter jet manufacturing. Here's what makes this plan different from the past.
7/26/20263 min read
French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation is preparing for a major role in India's upcoming 114 Rafale Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal, which is estimated to be worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore. This time, the company is following a completely different strategy to avoid the problems that caused the earlier Rafale production plan to fail.
Unlike the previous 126-aircraft MMRCA project, Dassault has announced that it will take complete responsibility for the quality, production, and delivery of all Rafale fighter jets under the new MRFA programme.
Why the Earlier Deal Failed
Around a decade ago, India planned to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets under the MMRCA programme. According to the plan, 108 aircraft were to be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after receiving technology from Dassault.
However, the deal collapsed because Dassault was not willing to guarantee the quality and performance of aircraft built by HAL. On the other hand, the Indian government wanted Dassault to take full responsibility for every aircraft. As both sides failed to reach an agreement, the project was cancelled.
Later, in 2016, India signed a separate agreement to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets directly from France.
New Strategy for the 114 Rafale MRFA Deal
Learning from the past, Dassault has decided to act as the main integrator for the new MRFA programme. This means the French company will directly supervise manufacturing, quality checks, system integration, and delivery schedules.
Defence experts believe this approach will reduce delays, improve accountability, and make the project more successful.
Indian Companies to Play a Major Role
Although Dassault will lead the programme, a large part of the manufacturing will still take place in India.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has already received contracts to manufacture Rafale fuselage sections at its Hyderabad facility. This will be the first time Rafale fuselages are produced outside France.
More contracts, including wing manufacturing and other aircraft structures, are expected to be awarded through competitive bidding. Both private companies and public sector firms such as HAL and Tata are likely to participate.
Most Rafale Jets Will Be Built in India
Under the current plan:
Around 90 out of 114 Rafale fighter jets will be manufactured in India.
The remaining aircraft will be supplied directly from France in fly-away condition.
The initial indigenous manufacturing content is expected to be 40-50%, with the percentage increasing as Indian suppliers gain more experience.
This manufacturing model supports the Government of India's Make in India and Strategic Partnership initiatives while strengthening the country's defence manufacturing capabilities.
Testing Will Also Happen in India
Another major change is that all ground testing and flight testing of Indian-built Rafale jets will be conducted in India instead of France.
This is expected to simplify the certification process, reduce delays, and ensure better coordination between Dassault and its Indian partners.
Aimed at Strengthening the Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force currently operates around 29 fighter squadrons, much lower than its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The 114 Rafale MRFA programme is expected to play a key role in filling this gap and boosting India's air combat capability over the coming years.
Deal Expected by End of 2026
The project has already received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), and the formal Letter of Request (LoR) has been finalised.
If all remaining approvals, including clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), are completed on time, India and Dassault are expected to sign the final agreement by the end of 2026.
Conclusion
The new Rafale MRFA programme represents a fresh start for India's largest fighter aircraft acquisition. By taking full responsibility for production, quality, and testing, Dassault aims to avoid the issues that affected the earlier MMRCA deal. With most aircraft planned to be built in India, the project is expected to strengthen both the Indian Air Force and the country's defence manufacturing industry.