The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally proposed acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets in a deal estimated at over Rs 2 lakh crore under the “Make in India” initiative, with Dassault Aviation set to manufacture the jets in India with more than 60% indigenous content. This acquisition, currently under review by the Defence Ministry, would raise India’s Rafale fleet to 176 jets, enhancing the IAF’s capability amid regional security challenges. Dassault plans to establish Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India, with Indian partners like Tata playing a key role in production. The proposal follows the Rafale’s proven performance in Operation Sindoor, where it outmatched Chinese PL-15 missiles using advanced electronic warfare capabilities. However, experts caution about the risk of costly long-term dependency on France, as the deal may limit India’s access to core software and hardware critical for integrating indigenous weapons and systems—recalling delays and cost overruns from the Mirage-2000 upgrade experience. The IAF views the acquisition as essential to maintaining operational readiness as older squadrons retire, with the ultimate goal of expanding squadron strength to meet emerging threats from neighboring countries. The process awaits clearance from the Defence Procurement Board and Defence Acquisition Council for final approval.