New Delhi: France has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence cooperation with India, indicating its willingness to share key technologies and support indigenous manufacturing under the proposed acquisition of 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft.
The assurance comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to France and amid ongoing discussions between the two countries on a major defence package. French diplomatic sources said the proposed agreement aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative and includes provisions for technology transfer as well as the integration of Indian-made weapons systems into the aircraft.
According to sources, France views its defence partnership with India as a strategic collaboration rather than a traditional buyer-seller relationship. Negotiations are currently focused on expanding cooperation across manufacturing, technology sharing and operational capabilities.
India has already submitted a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets under an intergovernmental framework. The proposed deal is expected to involve French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation partnering with an Indian company for local production.
As part of India’s requirements, the aircraft are expected to be equipped with indigenous weapons, missiles and secure data links capable of integrating with Indian radar and sensor networks. The agreement is also expected to include transfer of technology for critical components such as airframes, engines and avionics.
French defence firms, including engine manufacturer Safran and electronics specialist Thales, are likely to play a key role in the technology transfer process. Officials estimate that indigenous content in the aircraft could eventually reach between 55 and 60 percent once local manufacturing capabilities are fully established.
India is also seeking advanced versions of the Rafale platform. While the Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale jets in the F3R configuration, discussions are underway for a mix of the upgraded F4 variant and the future F5 version. The newer models are expected to feature enhanced AESA radar systems, improved electronic warfare capabilities, longer-range weapons, advanced satellite connectivity and artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making tools for pilots.
The acquisition forms part of the Indian Air Force’s broader modernization strategy aimed at strengthening its fighter fleet. In addition to the 36 Rafales already in service, the Indian Navy has placed an order for 26 carrier-capable Rafale Marine aircraft.
Defence officials believe expanding the Rafale fleet would improve operational efficiency and reduce long-term maintenance costs. India already operates a dedicated Rafale training and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Air Force base in Ambala, which is capable of supporting additional squadrons and infrastructure requirements.
