Why India Needs 114 Additional Rafale Fighter Jets: Strategic, Operational, and Industrial Imperatives
Why India Needs 114 Additional Rafale Fighter Jets: Strategic, Operational, and Industrial Imperatives
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| An Indian Air Force Rafale multirole fighter aircraft conducts a high-altitude patrol, highlighting India’s growing air power amid evolving regional security challenges. |
Introduction
India’s plan to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets has emerged as one of
the most significant and closely watched defence procurement initiatives in
recent years. The proposal, pursued under the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)
program, is not merely a repeat of the earlier Rafale deal but a response to
evolving security challenges, shrinking squadron strength, and the urgent need
to maintain credible air power in a rapidly changing regional environment.
As geopolitical tensions persist along India’s
northern and western borders, and as neighbouring countries modernize their air
forces at an accelerated pace, the debate around the Rafale expansion has taken
on renewed importance. Defence planners argue that the acquisition is driven by
operational necessity rather than preference, while critics question costs and
long-term dependency on foreign platforms. A closer examination reveals why the
requirement for 114 Rafales has become central to India’s air power strategy.
Declining Fighter Squadron Strength: A
Growing Concern
The most immediate reason behind India’s push
for additional Rafales is the steady
decline in IAF fighter squadron numbers.
·
Authorised
strength: 42 squadrons
·
Current
operational strength (2025–26): approximately 30–31 squadrons
Several legacy aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-29 (older variants), and Jaguar strike fighters, are nearing the end of their
operational life. Despite upgrades, these platforms cannot be retained
indefinitely without increasing risks and maintenance costs.
While indigenous programs such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas are
progressing, their induction rate is not fast enough to offset retirements in
the short term. Without a major new induction, analysts warn that the IAF could
fall below 28 squadrons, a level
widely considered insufficient to meet India’s strategic commitments.
The addition of 114 Rafale jets—equivalent to
roughly six fighter squadrons—would
help stabilize numbers during a critical transitional phase.
The Two-Front Challenge: China and Pakistan
India’s defence planning is shaped by the
reality of a potential two-front
contingency, involving both China and Pakistan.
Pakistan Front
The Pakistan Air Force has significantly
modernized its fleet in recent years. Key developments include:
·
JF-17
Block III, equipped with AESA radar and advanced avionics
·
J-10C
fighters acquired from China, armed with long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles
These upgrades have narrowed the qualitative
gap in certain areas, particularly beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat.
China Front
On the northern front, the challenge is even
more complex. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fields:
·
J-20
fifth-generation stealth fighters
·
J-16 heavy
multirole fighters
·
Integrated air defence systems and electronic
warfare capabilities deployed across the Tibetan plateau
Operating in high-altitude environments with
limited reaction time places additional demands on the IAF.
Defence planners believe that Rafale’s long-range sensors, advanced electronic warfare
suite, and Meteor BVR missile provide a credible counter to both
adversaries, particularly during the opening phases of a conflict.
Rafale’s Operational Capabilities
The Rafale is widely regarded as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter,
designed to perform air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear
deterrence roles using a single platform.
Key features include:
·
Meteor
BVRAAM, offering extended engagement ranges
·
SPECTRA
electronic warfare system, capable of threat detection, jamming, and
self-protection
·
Advanced sensor
fusion, enabling pilots to receive a comprehensive battlespace picture
·
High mission availability and survivability
Unlike aircraft still in development, Rafale
is a combat-proven platform,
having been deployed in operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and
Europe. For India, the aircraft has already been fully inducted into frontline
squadrons at Ambala and Hasimara, reducing training and integration
risks.
Bridging the Gap Until Indigenous Fighters
Mature
India’s long-term vision emphasizes self-reliance in defence manufacturing,
but indigenous fighter programs require time to reach full operational maturity.
Tejas Mk1A
·
Designed as a light fighter
·
Ideal for replacing MiG-21 variants
·
Limited in range and payload compared to medium
fighters like Rafale
Tejas Mk2
·
Intended as a medium-weight multirole fighter
·
Still under development, with induction expected
later in the decade
AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)
·
India’s proposed fifth-generation stealth fighter
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Expected to become operational only in the mid-to-late 2030s
In this context, the Rafale serves as a “bridge platform”, ensuring that the IAF
maintains credible combat power while indigenous programs advance.
Force Multiplier Effect on the Existing Fleet
Rather than operating in isolation, Rafale
enhances the effectiveness of India’s broader air combat ecosystem.
When integrated with:
·
Su-30MKI
heavy fighters
·
Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)
aircraft
·
Ground-based radar and missile systems
Rafale acts as a force multiplier, improving situational awareness,
target acquisition, and coordinated strike capability.
Its versatility also allows it to perform maritime strike missions in the Indian
Ocean Region, an increasingly important theatre given India’s strategic
interests and the expanding naval presence of other powers.
Logistics, Training, and Fleet Commonality
India’s existing fleet of 36 Rafales has already led to the
establishment of dedicated infrastructure, including:
·
Training simulators
·
Maintenance and overhaul facilities
·
Weapons integration and logistics chains
Expanding the Rafale fleet offers significant economies of scale, reducing
per-aircraft lifecycle costs compared to introducing an entirely new fighter
type. Familiarity among pilots and ground crews also translates into faster
operational readiness.
Industrial and Economic Considerations
The proposed acquisition of 114 Rafales is
linked to India’s MRFA framework,
which emphasizes domestic manufacturing and technology transfer.
Key objectives include:
·
Establishing production lines in India
·
Involving Indian private and public sector firms
·
Building aerospace manufacturing capabilities
applicable to future programs
While the extent of technology transfer
remains a subject of negotiation, defence economists argue that large-scale
production can strengthen India’s industrial base and support long-term
projects such as the AMCA and unmanned combat systems.
Strategic Signaling and Deterrence
Beyond operational considerations, the
expansion of the Rafale fleet carries strategic
messaging value.
A larger, modern fighter force signals:
·
India’s intent to maintain regional air
superiority
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Credible deterrence against escalation
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Rapid response capability across multiple
theatres
In a security environment shaped as much by
perception as by numbers, such signaling plays a role in stabilizing deterrence
dynamics.
Conclusion
India’s requirement for 114 additional Rafale fighter jets
reflects a convergence of immediate operational needs and long-term strategic
planning. With fighter squadron numbers under pressure, regional adversaries
modernizing rapidly, and indigenous programs still evolving, the Rafale offers
a proven, versatile solution available in the near term.
While debates around cost, procurement
processes, and self-reliance will continue, defence planners view the Rafale
expansion as a necessary step to ensure that the Indian Air Force remains
capable, credible, and ready during a critical transitional decade. In this
sense, the proposed acquisition is less about preference and more about
preserving strategic balance in an increasingly contested region.
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