New Delhi: India’s top defence decision making body is expected to take a crucial step toward strengthening the Indian Air Force by approving the acquisition of 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft at its meeting on Thursday. The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will examine several proposals aimed at modernising the armed forces amid rising regional security challenges.
The proposed purchase forms part of the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft programme and has already received clearance from the Defence Procurement Board. If the council grants approval, the plan will be forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final sanction. The deal, estimated at around three lakh twenty five thousand crore rupees, could become one of the largest military aviation contracts in the country’s history.
Air force officials have repeatedly warned about the declining strength of combat squadrons. The service currently operates only 29 squadrons against an authorised requirement of 42, creating a serious capability gap. Even with the arrival of indigenous Tejas aircraft, experts believe additional fighters are essential to maintain operational readiness on multiple fronts.
The latest proposal places strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing and technology transfer. A significant portion of the aircraft is expected to be produced in India with integration of locally developed weapons and systems. The project is seen as a continuation of the earlier multi role combat aircraft competition that began in 2007 but could not be concluded because of prolonged negotiations.
Apart from the Rafale decision, the council is also likely to review procurement of high altitude pseudo satellites, which are solar powered unmanned platforms designed for long duration surveillance. These systems, being developed by Indian research agencies, would provide persistent monitoring of border and maritime regions at a lower cost than conventional satellites.
The meeting may further discuss expansion of the navy’s Boeing P 8I maritime patrol fleet, a key platform for anti submarine warfare and ocean surveillance. The navy currently operates 12 such aircraft and has sought six more to strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean.
Delays in the indigenous Tejas Mk1A programme have increased pressure on the government to fast track foreign acquisitions. Deliveries of the locally built jets are yet to begin, making immediate purchases critical to replace ageing aircraft and sustain combat power.
