Dassault bids for 114 Rafales, offers ToT and local production
New Delhi, August 6. French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has submitted its technical and commercial bid to India for the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, offering local production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative along with extensive transfer of technology (ToT), media reported citing sources.
India had issued a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to France in May to begin negotiations for the government-to-government deal under the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework. The proposal, now under evaluation by Indian authorities, is expected to play a key role in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) efforts to rebuild its shrinking fighter fleet.
The proposed procurement envisages the manufacture of the aircraft in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company. New Delhi has also stipulated several non-negotiable conditions, including the integration of indigenous weapons and secure data links into the aircraft.
According to sources, France has agreed in principle to share critical technologies for the Rafale programme. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in June, the Indian delegation was assured that Paris was willing to facilitate technology transfer for the aircraft, including integration of Indian-made weapons and missile systems.
The proposed ToT package will cover the aircraft’s engine, airframe and avionics, with French companies Safran and Thales expected to participate in the programme. Once the technology transfer is fully implemented, indigenous content in the aircraft is expected to reach 55-60 percent.
India is seeking a combination of the latest Rafale F-4 variant and the upcoming F-5 version. The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale F3R fighters acquired under the 2015 contract, while the Indian Navy has separately ordered 26 Rafale-M carrier-based fighters.
The upgraded aircraft offered under the new proposal will feature next-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhanced electronic warfare and self-protection systems, improved satellite communications, artificial intelligence-enabled decision-support capabilities, and longer-range missiles to boost combat effectiveness. Secure data links will also enable seamless integration with Indian radar and sensor networks, allowing real-time transmission of operational information to ground controllers.
The proposed expansion of the Rafale fleet forms a key component of the IAF’s modernisation strategy as it seeks to arrest the steady decline in its fighter squadron strength caused by the retirement of ageing MiG aircraft and delays in the induction of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A and the future LCA Mk-2.
The IAF already has the infrastructure to induct additional Rafale squadrons. A dedicated flight training and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is operational at Ambala Air Force Station, with sufficient space, tooling, spares and trained personnel to accommodate two more squadrons of around 36-38 aircraft. Expanding the Rafale fleet is also expected to improve logistics and reduce long-term maintenance costs by increasing commonality across the force.
