NEW DELHI– Dassault Aviation is aiming to finalize a major contract with India for 114 Rafale fighter jets before the end of the year. The potential agreement would significantly expand the French manufacturer’s order backlog and strengthen defense cooperation between India and France.
The deal is linked to India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, which seeks to modernize the Indian Air Force fleet. If signed, the contract could become one of the largest fighter jet acquisitions in recent years and could lead to extensive local production under the country’s “Make in India” initiative.
India’s Rafale Deal Timeline
Dassault Aviation executives confirmed they hope to complete negotiations with India this year.
Company leadership stated that the goal is to secure the contract within 2026, although the final timeline will depend on ongoing discussions between both governments.
India selected the Rafale fighter for its MRFA requirement earlier this year, opening the door for a massive order of 114 aircraft.
The deal follows earlier purchases of Rafale jets by India, including 36 fighters already delivered to the Indian Air Force and 26 naval variants ordered for the Indian Navy.
The potential agreement is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars. Industry analysts believe it could become one of the largest defense procurement deals in India’s history if finalized.
India’s Local Production Plan
A key requirement for the deal is domestic manufacturing. Under India’s “Make in India” policy, Dassault must ensure that at least 50 percent of the program’s value is generated within the country.
To support this effort, Dassault has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture Rafale fuselage sections in India. This marks the first time components for the fighter jet will be produced outside France.
The company is also preparing to establish a local final assembly line in India if the order is confirmed. The move would significantly expand India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and strengthen supply chains for the Rafale program.
Dassault has already gained experience with local production through a joint venture called Dassault-Reliance Aerostructures, which manufactures Falcon 2000 business jet components in India, reported Flight Global.
Executives say the partnership provides valuable industrial experience for large-scale defense production.
Rafale Production Ramp-Up
Dassault continues to increase Rafale production to meet growing global demand. The manufacturer delivered 26 aircraft in 2025 and expects to deliver around 28 units in 2026.
The company is gradually expanding production toward a target rate of four aircraft per month. However, reaching this full capacity across its assembly network may take several more years as supply chains and final assembly operations scale up.
The Rafale currently holds a strong order backlog. By the end of 2025, Dassault reported 220 outstanding orders for the aircraft, including 175 for export customers and 45 for France.
Meanwhile, France is also considering a future Rafale order under a possible “Tranche 6” program. However, budget pressures could affect the timeline for additional domestic purchases.
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