India’s potential procurement of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets, valued at over Rs 2 lakh crore, is reshaping regional airpower dynamics and alarming Pakistan, as analysts warn of a significant doctrinal shift for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The consolidation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) around Rafales, complemented by indigenous fighters like the Tejas, is set to enhance operational efficiency through improved logistics and integrated training. This strategic evolution poses a challenge for the PAF, which has historically relied on superior tactics and pilot training to compensate for numerical disadvantages. As Pakistan grapples with fiscal constraints and considers alternatives like the J-35 fighter, the IAF’s expansion underscores a need for Pakistan to rethink its air defense strategies and enhance its layered deterrent capabilities.