Rafale Tsunami: India Set to Become Global Production Hub as IAF Pushes for Biggest Fighter Jet Deal in History
India is on the brink of a historic aviation transformation, with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets positioning the country to become a global production and export hub for Dassault Aviation’s flagship aircraft.
The momentum surged after France and Ukraine announced on November 17, 2025, that Kyiv intends to buy up to 100 Rafale jets over the next decade. This, combined with India’s massive demand, could reshape global fighter jet supply chains and accelerate Rafale production to unprecedented levels.
🌍 Rafale Demand Skyrockets Globally
At a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed Ukraine’s plan to acquire Rafale jets as part of a major defence package that includes drones, air defence systems and precision weapons.
As of now:
- 533 Rafale jets have firm orders globally
- 233 aircraft are still pending delivery
- This does not include Ukraine’s request for 100 jets
- Nor India’s proposal for 114 jets, under evaluation by the Ministry of Defence
Dassault Aviation has increased annual production from 24 jets/year in 2024 to 36 jets/year in 2025, aiming for 48 jets/year by expanding facilities in Mérignac and Cergy-Pontoise.
🇮🇳 India’s Rise as a Rafale Manufacturing Powerhouse
Dassault is already working with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to produce Rafale fuselages in India, the first time such production has been approved outside France.
Key milestones:
- A new Hyderabad facility will produce front, central and rear fuselage sections
- First Made-in-India fuselages expected by FY2028
- Capacity: 2 fuselages per month
- 4 Production Transfer Agreements (PTAs) signed
If India approves the IAF’s proposal for 114 jets, the country will have an exclusive Rafale assembly line, enabling:
- Faster delivery
- Lower cost
- Export capability to nations like Serbia, Indonesia, Greece & Ukraine
💰 India Poised for Its Biggest Defence Deal Ever
The IAF’s proposal, valued at ₹2 lakh crore+ ($22 billion), includes over 60% indigenous content—the highest ever for a foreign-origin fighter in India.
If approved:
- IAF Rafale fleet will rise from 36 to 150 jets
- Navy has already ordered 26 Rafales-M
- Total Indian Rafale strength could reach 176 jets
This makes Rafale India’s primary advanced fighter alongside the Su-30MKI, LCA Tejas Mk1A, and upcoming AMCA.
🔧 Indigenous Jet Engine Breakthrough
French engine-maker Safran, along with DRDO & GTRE, is also co-developing a 120–140 kN jet engine for India’s AMCA stealth fighter.
Key features:
- 9 prototype engines
- Single-crystal turbine blades
- Indian IP ownership
- Contribution from Tata, L&T, Adani Defence
This project could place India among the world’s top 5 jet engine nations.
🔥 Why Rafale Matters
The Rafale is a combat-proven, omni-role fighter capable of:
- Air superiority missions
- Reconnaissance
- Nuclear strike roles
- Deep-penetration strikes
With advanced systems like:
- AESA radar
- SPECTRA EW suite
- Meteor air-to-air missiles
- SCALP & HAMMER precision weapons
Rafale is central to India’s long-term force structure.
🤝 India–France: A Trusted Defence Partnership
From Ouragan to Mirage-2000 and now the Rafale, India and France share a long and stable defence partnership free from sanctions or political pressure.
If India approves the 114-jet deal, it would:
- Cement India as the second major production hub for Rafale
- Reduce global production bottlenecks
- Strengthen Make-in-India defence manufacturing
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
