India’s Defence Acquisition Council Clears Proposal for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets

AeroMorning Feb. 12, 2026

New Delhi — February 12, 2026 India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has formally cleared a major proposal to procure 114 Rafale multi‑role fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, marking one of the most significant defence procurement steps in recent years. The clearance was communicated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an official statement issued this Thursday.

What Was Approved

• The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• This approval is part of a larger package of capital acquisitions valued at approximately ₹3.25–3.60 lakh crore (≈ 33–39 billion USD).
• The AoN also covers combat missiles and an air‑ship based high‑altitude pseudo‑satellite (AS‑HAPS) platform for enhanced surveillance and communications.

Domestic Manufacturing and Strategic Context

According to the Ministry of Defence, the majority of the Rafale jets are expected to be manufactured in India, with a significant proportion of indigenous content under the government’s “Make in India” defence production initiative.

The MoD statement highlighted that such acquisitions “will enhance the capability to undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost the deterrence capabilities of the Indian Air Force with long‑range offensive strikes.”

The Current Phase: Approval vs. Contract

It is important to note that the DAC’s approval of AoN is a formal and necessary procedural step in India’s defence procurement system — it does not by itself constitute a signed government‑to‑government contract with France. Finalisation of pricing, detailed commercial terms, and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) endorsement are still required before a binding agreement is concluded.

Geopolitical and Diplomatic Timing

The DAC clearance comes days ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled state visit to India from February 17–19, 2026, underlining the strategic importance of the India‑France defence relationship.

Background

India already operates a fleet of Rafale jets acquired in previous deals (36 for the Indian Air Force and 26 for the Indian Navy). The expansion to 114 additional aircraft would significantly bolster India’s air combat capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges.