India defence council clears proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government.

The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologies intended to enhance surveillance and operational readiness.

The proposal will now be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval. Senior government officials have indicated that formal confirmation of the agreement could coincide with French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India later this month.

India previously inducted 36 Rafale jets under an earlier inter-governmental agreement with France, and the latest proposal reflects ongoing efforts to modernize the Indian Air Force amid evolving regional security dynamics. Defence procurement decisions of this scale typically undergo multiple layers of review to ensure strategic, financial and operational considerations are addressed.