The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and six P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy, sources told CNN-News18.
The meeting of the council was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The approval comes at a time when the Indian Air Force’s squadron strength has fallen to 29, significantly below the authorised strength of 42 — the lowest level in decades.
The Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal received the DAC’s nod ahead of the upcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron. After being cleared by the Defence Procurement Board last month, the proposal will now require final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the acquisition process can move forward.
Once the deal is completed, the Indian Air Force will operate a fleet of around 150 Rafale jets, while the Indian Navy will induct 26 carrier-compatible Rafale aircraft.
Rafale Jets
The first five Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2020, and since then, the French-made aircraft have become a critical component of India’s air defence and border protection capabilities.
During Operation Sindoor last year, Rafale jets played a decisive role. Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, highlighted their performance, stating, “Rafale was definitely the hero during Operation Sindoor.”
Boeing P-8I Poseidon
The Boeing P-8I Poseidon, a long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, remains a vital asset in safeguarding India’s strategic interests across the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Navy currently operates a fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft, which have collectively logged more than 40,000 mishap-free flight hours. These aircraft form the backbone of the Navy’s airborne surveillance network and play a crucial role in providing its powerful “eye in the sky” capability.
