80% of 114 Rafale Jets to Be Manufactured in India

The Indian Air Force, struggling with a shortage of fighter jets, is set to receive relief. The government is expected to approve the purchase of 114 advanced Rafale jets from France. The Ministry of Defence will soon finalize the proposal, after which the Union Cabinet will give its approval. If approved, this will be the largest defense deal in India's military history, with an estimated total cost of around ₹3.25 lakh crore, according to ANI reports.

Under this deal, 80% of the fighter jets will be manufactured in India. Around 12 to 18 jets will arrive in fly-away condition, while the remaining aircraft will be produced domestically. Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing Rafale jets, will shift some of its facilities to India. Indian and French officials are currently discussing the cost and logistics of this deal. The deal is expected to follow the 2016 pricing, with a possible 4% inflation adjustment over the past decade.

MRO Facility and High Serviceability

France will also set up Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for Rafale jets in India, significantly improving their serviceability. One of the main reasons India chose Rafale is its high serviceability rate of 90%, meaning the jets are reliable and durable over long periods. This rate surpasses even the U.S. F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets in terms of operational readiness.

Rafale jets have been tested in multiple conflicts over the past 15 years. According to the manufacturer, not a single Rafale jet has been shot down or involved in an accident anywhere in the world during this time, highlighting its reliability and combat effectiveness.