India is expected to issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to French aerospace company Dassault Aviation by mid-next month, advancing one of the Indian Air Force’s most important fighter aircraft acquisition programs. The development follows approval from the Defence Acquisition Council on February 12, clearing the way for detailed contract negotiations once the RFP is released.
The proposal involves the acquisition of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft under a structure designed to meet both immediate operational needs and long-term industrial development goals. As part of the plan, 18 aircraft will be supplied in flyaway condition from France to rapidly strengthen the Indian Air Force’s shrinking fighter fleet. The remaining 96 aircraft are planned to be manufactured in India with more than 50 percent indigenous content, supporting the government’s defence self-reliance objectives.
The phased procurement strategy is intended to address urgent capability gaps while simultaneously building a domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. The localization component is expected to include significant technology transfer, expansion of indigenous supply chains, and participation from both public and private Indian defence firms, potentially transforming India’s fighter aircraft production capabilities.
The acquisition program is considered crucial for the Indian Air Force’s efforts to rebuild its squadron strength toward the sanctioned level of 42 squadrons. With platforms such as the MiG-21 nearing retirement and several ageing aircraft fleets scheduled for phase-out over the coming years, the induction of new fighters has become an operational necessity.
Following the RFP issuance, negotiations are expected to focus on pricing, the depth of technology transfer, production schedules, and the level of Indian industry involvement. Given the size of the order and the emphasis on localization, the deal is regarded as one of India’s most complex ongoing defence procurement programs.
