India turns its back on US fighter jets, joins hands with France to expand Rafale fleet

India is expanding its Rafale fleet through a direct deal with France, aiming to increase deterrence as the South Asian region experiences geopolitical turmoil.

According to The Economic Times, the Indian Air Force wants to sign a direct deal with France to buy more Rafale fighters under the 114-plane MRFA program. The deal is aimed at speeding up deliveries, reducing costs and leveraging existing infrastructure, instead of opening an international tender. The move comes amid escalating tensions with China and Pakistan.

The Indian Air Force will submit an Acceptance of Need (AoN) to the Defence Acquisition Council within the next 1-2 months, paving the way for a direct deal with France - a solution that is expected to shorten delivery times, cut costs and avoid lengthy international bidding rounds.

Following the rapid pace of military activity since early 2025, this plan is being implemented to stem the decline in the number of fighter squadrons. India plans to make the most of its existing base and logistics infrastructure, helping new fighters quickly become combat-ready.

In addition, the Rafale fleet expansion plan will take advantage of all the facilities that have been invested in for the 36 Rafales put into service under the 2016 intergovernmental agreement. The two bases, Ambala and Hasimara, currently have solid shelters, weapons depots, training simulation rooms and specialized maintenance hangars for this fighter line.

In parallel with the plan to strengthen the Air Force, the Indian Navy has also ordered 26 Rafale M fighters capable of operating on aircraft carriers, a contract approved by the government in April 2025. Using the same aircraft for both services will help synchronize training, maintenance and logistics, thereby saving costs and improving combat effectiveness.

The Rafale is a delta-wing multirole fighter, equipped with two engines, using composite materials to reduce weight and radar cross-section. The Snecma M88-2 engine allows a maximum speed of 2,200 km/h, supersonic cruise of 1,700 km/h without afterburner, with a combat radius of over 1,000 km.

Rafale's weapons and sensors are among the most advanced in the world , including the AESA RBE2 phased array radar, the OSF electro-optical system, and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite capable of detecting, jamming, and deceiving enemy radars. The diverse arsenal ranges from 30mm cannons, MICA and Meteor air-to-air missiles, to AASM Hammer guided bombs and SCALP-EG long-range cruise missiles.

When compared to its regional rivals, the Rafale shows clear superiority in terms of range, weapons payload and sensor technology. Fighters such as the J-10C or the JF-17 Block III of Pakistan are inferior, while the upgraded F-16 is also difficult to match in terms of AESA radar, electronic warfare capabilities and multi-role capability.

The urgency of the buildup was underscored by the flare-up in July 2025 between India and Pakistan over a major terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. During the four-day engagement, the Rafale played a spearhead role, conducting deep strikes to destroy supply lines and suppress enemy air defenses.

During this time, Pakistan claimed that a Rafale fighter was shot down by a PL-15 missile fired from a J-10C, but New Delhi immediately denied it. Although unverified, the incident clearly reflects the rapid modernization of rivals and underscores the need to maintain superiority in range, sensors, and air survivability.

Tactically, the Rafale is capable of simultaneously undertaking multiple missions, from air superiority, precision strike, maritime interdiction to tactical reconnaissance. Real-time data sharing capabilities enable the Rafale to effectively coordinate with the Su-30MKI, Tejas Mk1A and new-generation AMCA fighters in a centralized combat network.

The Rafale purchase agreement will help India quickly supplement its fighter force, make the most of its invested infrastructure, and expand defense industry cooperation with France. With its outstanding performance, the Rafale is expected to become a pillar to maintain air superiority, increase deterrence, and effectively respond to increasingly complex security challenges in the region.

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