Rajnath Singh-Led Top Defence Body Likely To Clear Acquisition Of 114 Rafale Jets, Key Meeting Tomorrow

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 21:44 IST

The Rafale proposal was cleared by the Defence Procurement Board last month and is expected to be taken up before moving to the PM-led cabinet committee on security for a final nod

India’s Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is likely to approve 114 additional Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force as it holds a key meeting on Thursday (February 12).

The meeting will have major decisions on critical military platforms, with the agenda including proposals that could reshape combat capabilities of the armed forces amid growing security concerns.

At the forefront is the likely approval of 114 additional Dassault Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force under the Medium-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. This proposal – cleared by the Defence Procurement Board last month – is expected to be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) before being forwarded to the Prime Minister-led cabinet committee on security for the final nod.

The planned Rafale acquisition aims to address the steep decline in the squadron strength of the air force. The number has dropped to 29 squadrons against an authorised strength of 42, the lowest in decades. Even with the additional jets, which could translate into at least six to seven new squadrons and incoming HAL Tejas Mk-1A deliveries, the gap is unlikely to close quickly without these buys.

The MRFA project has a long and complex lineage. It evolved from the 2007 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, in which Rafale eventually emerged the preferred choice but negotiations over cost and industrial terms had stalled.

The present proposal has a stronger emphasis on ‘Make in India’, with plans for transfer of technology and local production as well as integration of future weapons systems tailored to Indian requirements. If approved, the deal – estimated to be around Rs 3.25 lakh crore – will become one of India’s largest fighter aircraft procurements.

INDIGENOUS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

The DAC is also expected to consider procurement of high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS), which are long-endurance, solar-powered unmanned systems capable of stratospheric surveillance.

These offer persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over wide areas at considerably lower cost than traditional satellites, and are being developed by Indian entities including Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). Their inclusion is a shift towards indigenous space-domain capability that can support frontline forces in border and maritime zones.

MARITIME PATROL, ANTI-SUBMARINE TECH

While sources indicated that approvals are unlikely, the DAC is widely expected to take up the case of the Boeing P-8I Poseidon fleet to approve six additional aircraft for the Indian Navy.

The P-8I, a long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare platform, is a critical asset for securing India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. The navy presently operates 12 of these aircraft, which have amassed over 40,000 mishap-free flight hours and are central to its “eye in the sky" capability.  

The council will discuss some more cases for the capability boost of the armed forces, including SCALP missiles, indigenous marine engine development programme for the navy among other cases.

TEJAS DELAYS

Delays in the indigenous LCA Mk1A programme have compounded capability shortfalls. Although at least 180 Mk1A aircraft have been contracted, deliveries – scheduled between 2027 and 2033 – have not yet begun, slowing down efforts to offset retirements of older jets such as the MiG-21 series.

These delays have sharpened the focus on rapid acquisitions like the Rafale buy while highlighting the need to speed up indigenous projects.

News india Rajnath Singh-Led Top Defence Body Likely To Clear Acquisition Of 114 Rafale Jets, Key Meeting Tomorrow

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