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India Eyes More French Rafales as Years of Russian Su-35, Su-57 Sales Pitch Still Yield No Results
India is moving to dramatically expand its fleet of French-made Rafale fighters, even as Moscow continues its years-long push to sell New Delhi more Su-35s and its next-generation Su-57 stealth jets.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing for a fast-tracked government-to-government agreement with France to acquire more Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, The Economic Times reported on August 11.
The move comes under the 114-aircraft Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program and is aimed at rapidly reversing the decline in fighter squadron strength while capitalizing on existing bases and logistics networks.
IAF officials plan to submit an Acceptance of Necessity to the Defence Acquisition Council within one to two months, arguing that a direct deal will cut procurement costs and significantly shorten delivery timelines compared to opening a new global competition.
Fransız askeri uçak üreticisi Dassault ürünü Rafale savaş uçağı pic.twitter.com/xg2U8ZpI4q
— Defence and Technology (@SavunmaTekno) June 28, 2017
The push follows this summer’s high-intensity air operations with Pakistan, which underscored the need for more advanced fighters ready for immediate deployment.
Infrastructure already in place
The IAF already operates 36 Rafales acquired under a 2016 agreement with France. Two airbases—Ambala in the north and Hasimara in the east—are fully equipped with hardened shelters, simulators, weapons depots, and dedicated maintenance facilities, meaning additional squadrons could be operational without costly new infrastructure.
India’s Navy is also acquiring 26 Rafale M carrier-borne fighters, approved in April, which will share training, maintenance, weapons, and spare parts with the Air Force, boosting joint operations and reducing logistics complexity.
Rafale’s combat edge
The Rafale is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing fighter designed for maximum agility, survivability, and mission flexibility.
It boasts an advanced AESA radar, infrared search and track, and the integrated Spectra electronic warfare suite, which provides radar warning, missile approach alerts, active jamming, and towed decoys.
Capable of carrying over nine tonnes of weapons on 14 hardpoints, the Rafale can launch Meteor and MICA air-to-air missiles, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, anti-ship weapons, and more. It can fly deep-strike missions over 1,000 km without refueling and cruise at Mach 1.4 without afterburners.
Against regional rivals such as Pakistan’s J-10C, JF-17 Block III, and upgraded F-16s, the Rafale offers greater range, payload, and electronic warfare capability—key advantages in contested airspace.
During the July 2025 escalation with Pakistan, Rafales played a central role in deep-strike missions, air superiority patrols, and suppression of enemy air defenses.
Pakistan claimed one Rafale was downed by a PL-15 missile from a J-10C, but India denied the loss. The encounter reinforced the urgency of fielding more top-tier fighters against increasingly capable opponents.
NEW
— Astraia (@astraiaintel) March 9, 2025
French aviation giant "Dassault" will double the production of Rafale fighter jets to four or five per month by early 2026. Production of AASM "Hammer" 550 lb bombs will also double.
🇪🇺🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/pzGfeE6Mgd
Strategic payoff
A direct Rafale deal with France would bridge squadron shortfalls faster than an open tender, maximize prior investments in infrastructure and training, and expand technology cooperation with French industry.
For the IAF, it’s a way to lock in air dominance and deterrence on both fronts, without waiting years for a drawn-out procurement process.
Earlier, Russia had expanded its fighter jet offer to India, bundling the Su-35M alongside the fifth-generation Su-57E in a dual-package proposal aimed at securing a long-term contract with the Indian Air Force.
The offer was pitched as both a short-term solution and a strategic investment in India’s future airpower.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the proposal put forward by Russian defense conglomerate Rostec and aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi includes immediate delivery of Su-35M jets while India prepares to begin local production of the Su-57E.
