Rafale to Go Desi? New Delhi Pushes for 80% Local Manufacturing of Fighter Jets, Sources Say
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| An Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jet flies past a modern aerospace facility, highlighting India’s push to locally manufacture advanced combat aircraft under the Make in India initiative. |
New Delhi:
India is pushing for a major leap in defence indigenisation as negotiations
intensify over the acquisition of 114 new
multirole fighter aircraft, with government sources indicating that up to 80 per cent of the jets could be manufactured
in India. The move, if finalised, would mark one of the most ambitious
localisation efforts ever undertaken in India’s military aviation sector and
could significantly reshape the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
At the centre of the discussions is the Dassault Rafale, a 4.5-generation
multirole fighter aircraft already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
While no final decision has been announced, officials familiar with the talks
say New Delhi is pressing for maximum
possible localisation, far beyond the limited assembly or offset
models of earlier defence deals.
A
Strategic Push for ‘Make in India’ in Fighter Aviation
India’s renewed emphasis on domestic
manufacturing aligns with its broader Make
in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
initiatives, which aim to reduce reliance on imports in critical sectors such
as defence. Fighter aircraft have traditionally been among the most
import-dependent platforms for the Indian armed forces, both in terms of
acquisition and lifecycle support.
According to sources, New Delhi wants the
proposed fighter jet programme to serve not only as a procurement exercise but
also as a long-term capability-building
project, covering manufacturing, testing, maintenance, and upgrades
within India.
The localisation push reportedly includes:
·
Indigenous production of major airframe sections
·
Local manufacture of avionics and subsystems
where feasible
·
Assembly and integration of aircraft in India
·
Establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities
·
Gradual increase in Indian supply-chain
participation over the programme’s lifespan
Such an approach would represent a significant
departure from earlier fighter acquisitions, where India largely depended on
overseas original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for spares and upgrades.
Why the
Rafale Remains Central to IAF Plans
The Rafale has emerged as a strong contender
in India’s fighter modernisation plans due to its operational track record with
the IAF. The service inducted 36 Rafale
jets beginning in 2020, and the aircraft has since been integrated
into India’s air defence and strike architecture.
IAF officials have consistently highlighted
the Rafale’s:
·
High availability and serviceability rates
·
Ability to operate across diverse mission
profiles
·
Advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems,
and weapons integration
In an increasingly complex security
environment, the IAF values platforms that can deliver quick induction, reliable performance, and long-term upgrade
potential. The Rafale’s existing infrastructure and trained personnel
base in India are seen as advantages in scaling up numbers more rapidly
compared to introducing an entirely new aircraft type.
Fighter
Squadron Shortfall and Urgency of Induction
India’s push to accelerate fighter induction
comes amid concerns over declining squadron
strength. The IAF is authorised 42 fighter squadrons but currently
operates significantly fewer due to the retirement of legacy aircraft such as
the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguar variants.
While indigenous programmes like the LCA Tejas are progressing, production
ramp-up and engine supply constraints mean that imported or jointly
manufactured aircraft are still required to bridge capability gaps in the near
to medium term.
Defence planners view the 114-fighter
programme as a critical stopgap
that can stabilise squadron numbers while indigenous fifth-generation and
advanced medium combat aircraft projects mature.
Local
Manufacturing: Beyond Final Assembly
Sources indicate that India is not interested
in a limited “screwdriver technology” model. Instead, negotiators are seeking deep industrial participation, including
transfer of manufacturing processes and long-term involvement of Indian firms
in the global supply chain.
Potential Indian partners could include both
public and private sector entities, enabling:
·
Skill development in aerospace manufacturing
·
Creation of high-value engineering jobs
·
Development of domestic testing and
certification capabilities
Over time, officials believe such an ecosystem
could support not only Indian requirements but also exports and third-party maintenance services,
positioning India as a regional hub for advanced military aviation support.
Cost
Considerations and Negotiation Challenges
One of the most complex aspects of the
negotiations remains cost and pricing
structure. Defence procurement officials are scrutinising not only the
upfront acquisition price but also:
·
Inflation-linked cost escalations
·
Lifecycle support expenses
·
Long-term maintenance and upgrade costs
India is reportedly seeking pricing terms that
reflect the scale of localisation and long-term partnership, arguing that
domestic manufacturing should translate into greater cost control over time.
At the same time, transferring advanced
manufacturing processes involves commercial, technical, and intellectual property
considerations, making negotiations intricate and time-consuming.
Strategic
Implications for India–France Defence Ties
A large-scale localisation deal would further
deepen India–France strategic cooperation,
which has expanded steadily over the past decade. France has emerged as one ofIndia’s most trusted defence partners, with collaboration spanning naval
platforms, submarines, helicopters, and fighter aircraft.
For Paris, agreeing to extensive localisation
could strengthen its long-term presence in the Indian defence market and
reinforce its role as a preferred strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
For New Delhi, the partnership offers access
to proven technology while retaining strategic autonomy—an increasingly
important factor in India’s foreign and defence policy.
Balancing
Imports and Indigenous Programmes
Despite the focus on localisation, officials
stress that imported or jointly manufactured fighters are not a substitute for indigenous development.
Programmes such as the Tejas Mk-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA) remain central to India’s long-term air power vision.
However, defence planners acknowledge that capability gaps cannot be left unaddressed
while waiting for future platforms to mature. The proposed 114-jet programme is
therefore seen as a bridge—supporting operational readiness while domestic
programmes evolve.
What
Comes Next
At present, discussions remain ongoing, and no
formal contract has been announced. Key issues still under deliberation
include:
·
Final aircraft configuration
·
Scope and depth of technology transfer
·
Selection of Indian industrial partners
·
Production timelines and delivery schedules
Any eventual agreement would likely require
approval from multiple levels of government, including the Defence Acquisition
Council and the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Conclusion:
A Defining Moment for India’s Aerospace Ambitions
The prospect of 80 per cent local manufacturing of advanced fighter jets
signals a potential turning point in India’s defence industrial journey. If
realised, it would demonstrate New Delhi’s intent to move beyond buyer-seller
relationships toward true co-production
and capability building.
While challenges remain, the localisation push
reflects a broader strategic calculation: that long-term security depends not
only on acquiring advanced platforms, but on building the industrial and technological foundations
to sustain them independently.
As negotiations progress, the outcome will be
closely watched—not just by the Indian Air Force, but by the global defence
industry and strategic observers tracking India’s emergence as a major
aerospace manufacturing power.
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