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114 Rafale Deal Likely by FY27-End, Says IAF Chief
IAF chief A P Singh says the ₹3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale jets may be finalised by March 2027. Why the IAF needs it, and what it means for squadron strength.
Key Highlights
- Timeline: Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said the 114-Rafale MRFA deal is likely to be finalised by the end of FY27.
- The size: The acquisition is estimated at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, India's largest-ever defence purchase.
- Rafale fleet: Once concluded, India's total Rafales would reach 176, including the IAF's 36 and the Navy's 26 Rafale-M.
- The shortfall: The IAF fell to 29 fighter squadrons after retiring the MiG-21 last year, against a sanctioned 42.
- Other options: Russia has offered Su-57 jets, but no decision has been taken.
India is likely to finalise the deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets by the end of this financial year, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday, at a press conference ahead of Air Force Day.
He said price negotiations and other key issues for the multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) acquisition, estimated at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, are under way. India cleared the proposal in February under a government-to-government framework with France, nearly two decades after the plan was first rolled out.
What 176 Rafales Would Look Like
| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| IAF Rafales already in service | 36 |
| Navy Rafale-M (ordered) | 26 |
| New MRFA deal | 114 |
| Total | 176 |
Why It Matters: The Squadron Gap
The urgency comes from a long-standing shortfall. When the IAF retired its last MiG-21 squadrons in September 2025, its fighter strength fell to 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned 42, a target that has never been met. With each squadron having 16 to 18 jets, that gap translates into roughly 200 to 230 aircraft.
