114 Rafale Deal Likely to be Completed by Year-End
Defence Secretary says the 114 Rafale deal will likely conclude this financial year with significant indigenisation and Indian weapons integration.
India’s ambitious plan to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets is gaining significant momentum. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has announced that the procurement project is expected to reach a conclusion before the end of the current financial year.
Focus on Indigenisation and Indian Weapons
A major highlight of this upcoming deal is the shift toward a "buy-and-make" model. Unlike previous acquisitions, the new batch of aircraft is expected to feature high levels of indigenisation. This means a substantial portion of the aircraft will be assembled within India, incorporating domestic systems and weaponry.
The Defence Secretary noted that this move follows the precedent set by the Rafale Marine aircraft, where the French side had already agreed to integrate Indian-made weapons. For the new 114-jet requirement, India is taking this a step further by ensuring significant involvement of the Indian private industry and the MSME sector in the production and integration process.
Currently, the bids submitted under the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage are undergoing formal assessment. Once the evaluation of these bids is complete, the procurement cycle is expected to move swiftly toward a final decision by the end of the year.
Updates on LCA Mk2 and AMCA Projects
Beyond the Rafale deal, the Defence Secretary provided critical updates on other major domestic aviation programs:
- LCA Mk2 (Tejas Mk2): The Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 project is moving toward its initial flight trials, which are scheduled for the middle of next year. The development is expected to follow a "spiral development" model, utilizing the existing public-sector ecosystem, led by HAL with increasing support from private-sector production lines for components like fuselages.
- AMCA: The Advanced AMCA programme has reached a stage where RFPs have been invited from shortlisted vendors. While the complexity of developing a fifth-generation fighter is high, the government remains committed to this indigenous path. Singh emphasized that India is currently "putting all our eggs in this basket" regarding fifth-generation fighter development rather than looking for global alternatives.