India clears proposal to buy French Rafale jets: defence ministry

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indian defence officials on Thursday cleared the purchase of $39 billion worth of defence equipment, including more French Rafale jets, days ahead of a visit to the country by France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

A defence ministry source told AFP that the clearance covered the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets, adding to the dozens already used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

“The procurement … 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,” India’s defence ministry said in a statement, without specifying the number of jets being purchased.

The approval by the defence acquisition council — comprising top military officers and the defence minister — is an important first step for any military hardware purchase in the country.

“The majority of MRFA (Multi Role Fighter Aircraft) to be procured will be manufactured in India,” the statement added.

New Delhi has pushed hard in the last decade to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment.

India has boosted military hardware imports from the United States, France, and Israel.

Macron is set to visit India on February 17.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has also liberalised laws to ease private investments in domestic defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ policy initiative.

Since 2015, India has bought 26 Rafale jets worth around $8.7bn and in April announced a fresh multi-billion dollar deal to buy 26 more of the fighter jets.

Pakistan took down six Indian jets, including three advanced French Rafale planes, during the four-day conflict between the two countries in May 2025.