India clears path for 114 new Rafale jets as Air Force modernization accelerates

 

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved an initial proposal to purchase 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, in a move that signals both urgency and ambition for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Valued at around $280 billion, the deal comes at a moment when India’s fighter fleet has shrunk to just 29 operational squadrons, well below the sanctioned 42, following the retirement of legacy platforms like the MiG-21 and soon-to-be phased-out MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s.

The timing is critical. Rising regional tensions, particularly along India’s northern and eastern borders, have made fleet modernization a strategic priority. The Rafale acquisition is not only intended to replace aging aircraft but also to bridge the gap until India’s domestic programs, like the Tejas Mk-1A, can achieve full operational maturity. Despite nearly 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets being on order from Hindustan Aeronautics, engine supply chain issues have delayed widespread deployment, leaving imported fighters essential in the near term.

From a strategic standpoint, the Rafale purchase reinforces India’s dual approach to defense: continuing to nurture indigenous aerospace capabilities while ensuring immediate operational readiness with proven platforms. Dassault’s Rafale offers a versatile, multi-role solution capable of both air superiority and precision strike, compatible with India’s evolving doctrine that emphasizes networked operations and flexible response in contested environments.

The decision also sets the stage for a deepening of India-France defense ties, following high-level diplomatic engagements, including French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi. As commercial and technical details are negotiated, this order could become a benchmark for future collaborations, including co-development and potential technology transfers—further cementing the Rafale’s role not just as a purchase, but as a strategic instrument in India’s long-term air power evolution.

In essence, India’s Rafale move illustrates a pragmatic balancing act: modernizing today without pausing the domestic drive for aerospace independence, while signaling to neighbors and global defense markets that the IAF intends to maintain credible, technologically advanced air combat capability well into the next decade.

India Turns to Ex-Ecuador, French and Omani Jaguars to Keep Its Fleet Flying

The SEPECAT Jaguar has long been a workhorse for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Introduced in the late 1970s, this subsonic strike aircraft has performed close air support, deep strike, and reconnaissance roles across decades of operations. Today, the Jaguar remains a critical component of India’s strike capability, even as its airframes age and production lines have long since closed.

Maintaining a fleet of legacy aircraft is never straightforward. India faces the classic challenge of operating a platform for which no new production exists. Engines, landing gear, avionics, and specialized structural components cannot simply be ordered from a manufacturer. To address this, the IAF has relied on a strategy of selective cannibalization from retired airframes, a practice that has become central to sustaining the Jaguar fleet.

Oman has played a pivotal role in this logistics equation. In 2018–2019, the Royal Air Force of Oman retired a number of Jaguars, which India acquired primarily to harvest spare parts. These aircraft were never intended to fly in Indian service; instead, they provide engines, mission avionics, landing gear, and other high-value components that are increasingly difficult to obtain from original suppliers. The Omani airframes effectively extend the operational life of India’s active fleet, allowing the IAF to plan for Jaguar operations well into the mid-2030s.

More recently, attention has turned to Ecuador. Reports indicate that the Ecuadorian Air Force has four Jaguars in storage, preserved since their retirement. India has opened discussions to acquire these airframes, following the same model as the Omani deal: dismantle for parts, integrate into India’s existing Jaguar logistics chain, and maintain fleet readiness. By securing multiple sources of retired airframes, India reduces dependency on a single supplier and ensures the continuity of a complex, legacy supply chain.

The Jaguar is the only aircraft of its type still in operational service with India, and the FMS and original European production lines no longer exist. The only practical way to sustain the fleet is to source retired airframes from other operators, either through direct purchase or through carefully negotiated transfers. India has already done this with airframes from France, Oman, and now looks to Ecuador. Each acquisition strengthens the supply pipeline and secures the ability to operate the aircraft in key strike and reconnaissance roles.

The Jaguars acquired from Oman or Ecuador are purely for sustainment purposes. The IAF is maintaining the current operational fleet size while mitigating the risks associated with an aging platform. This is a practical, low-profile solution that ensures operational continuity without major capital expenditure or the complexity of introducing an entirely new aircraft type.

The IAF’s approach demonstrates a pragmatic application of air logistics in a resource-constrained environment. By carefully sourcing retired airframes, prioritizing cannibalization, and integrating parts into a central maintenance pipeline, India is able to extend the life of its Jaguars for another decade and a half, while simultaneously preparing for gradual replacement by modern platforms in the 2030s.

India to Lease Airbus A330 MRTT from France to Boost Aerial Refueling Capabilities

In a Strategic move amid aging sanker Fleet the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to lease an Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) for a period of three years. The decision, approved by India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), aims to strengthen the country's aerial refueling capabilities as it seeks a long-term solution to replace its aging Ilyushin Il-78MKI tankers.

This move marks a major milestone for the IAF, which has struggled for years with limited availability of its current tanker fleet. The lease will allow India to evaluate the A330 MRTT in operational conditions, while also addressing immediate requirements.

The IAF currently operates six Il-78MKI Midas aerial refueling tankers, acquired from Russia in the early 2000s. While these aircraft have played a vital role in extending the range of frontline fighters like the Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000, and Rafale, they suffer from chronic maintenance issues and low serviceability rates, often rendering them unavailable for missions.

India is suffering key issues with the Il-78MKI that include frequent technical failures leading to grounding of aircraft, difficulty in sourcing spare parts from Russia, especially amid geopolitical tensions, and outdated technology compared to modern refueling platforms.

To overcome these limitations, the IAF has long been considering a replacement, with the Airbus A330 MRTT emerging as the preferred choice. However, past procurement attempts have been stalled due to budget constraints and shifting defense priorities. The leasing option provides a cost-effective and immediate alternative to meet operational needs.

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Details of the A330 MRTT Lease Agreement

The leasing arrangement will enable the IAF to integrate the A330 MRTT into its operations without making an immediate full-scale purchase. The details of the agreement include:

Aircraft Type: Airbus A330 MRTT

Provider: French Air and Space Force

Lease Duration: Three years

Status: Finalizing terms, expected to be operational in the 2025–2026 financial year

Pilot and Crew Training: IAF personnel will receive training in France before the aircraft is stationed in India.

By leasing the aircraft, the IAF will gain hands-on experience in operating a modern aerial refueling platform, which could shape its future procurement strategy.

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Complementary Lease of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

In addition to the A330 MRTT, the IAF has also secured approval to lease a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker from Metrea Aerospace, a US-based defense company specializing in aerial refueling operations.

The KC-135 lease is intended primarily for training pilots and aircrews in aerial refueling operations, supporting joint exercises with allied air forces and enhancing operational flexibility by integrating multiple tanker platforms.

This dual-lease approach will significantly enhance India’s aerial refueling capabilities and allow the IAF to test both platforms before making a long-term procurement decision.

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Future Aerial Refueling Plans: Towards an A330 MRTT Fleet?

While the lease of the A330 MRTT is a short-term solution, India is actively exploring permanent acquisitions to modernize its aerial refueling capabilities. The MoD is considering a formal tender for purchasing additional A330 MRTTs, with the potential for local assembly under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Additionally, India is examining indigenous aerial refueling solutions, such as modifying the upcoming C-295 transport aircraft for limited refueling roles. However, a dedicated fleet of A330 MRTT tankers remains the most viable long-term solution.

Strategic Importance for India

The leasing of the A330 MRTT is a game-changer for the IAF, with far-reaching strategic implications:

1. Extended Combat Reach

The A330 MRTT will allow India to conduct longer-range strike missions, extending the endurance of Rafale, Su-30MKI, and Tejas fighters.

Increased refueling support will boost patrol capabilities over critical regions like the Indian Ocean and the Himalayas.

2. Strengthening Indo-French Defense Ties

France is already a key defense partner for India, having supplied Rafale fighter jets and Scorpène-class submarines.

The lease further solidifies bilateral cooperation in high-end defense technology.

3. Modernizing the IAF's Capabilities

The A330 MRTT offers advanced refueling technology, greater fuel capacity, and higher reliability than the Il-78MKI.

Experience gained with the A330 MRTT will help the IAF transition smoothly to a future fleet of dedicated tankers.

Conclusion

India’s decision to lease the Airbus A330 MRTT from France marks a critical step forward in its efforts to enhance aerial refueling capabilities and modernize its tanker fleet. By bridging operational gaps while evaluating the A330 MRTT, the IAF is laying the groundwork for a future acquisition of next-generation aerial refueling aircraft.

With the combined lease of the A330 MRTT and KC-135 Stratotanker, India is moving toward a more capable, flexible, and reliable aerial refueling strategy, ensuring that its airpower remains at the forefront of regional security dynamics.

India Performs First Flight of Its UCAV Prototype

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India successfully conducted a test flight of the Autonomous Winged Technology Demonstrator, a high-speed Winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka.

The successful flight demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV stands as a testament to the maturity in technological readiness within the country. With this tailless configuration flight, India has joined the elite league of nations that have mastered winged technology controls.

This UAV was designed and developed by the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment. The maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight tests in various development configurations using two domestically manufactured prototypes. These flight tests led to achievements in robust aerodynamic and control system developments, real-time integrated simulation, hardware-in-loop, and state-of-the-art ground control station. The team optimized avionics systems, integration, and flight operations for the successful seventh flight in the final configuration.

The aircraft prototype, featuring a complex swept-wing platform, was designed and fabricated using locally developed lightweight carbon pre-impregnated composite material. Furthermore, the composite structure, impregnated with fiber interrogators for health monitoring, showcases India's "Make in India" proposition in aerospace technology.

The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for radar/infrastructure/ground pilot, demonstrated a unique capability, enabling takeoff and landing from any runway with predefined coordinates. This was achieved by utilizing onboard sensor data fusion with Indian satellite-based augmentation using GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) receivers to enhance GPS navigation accuracy and integrity.

Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, Armed Forces, and Industry for the successful test flight of the system. He stated that the successful development of such critical technologies would further strengthen the Indian Armed Forces.

End of an Era, Indian Air Force retires MiG-21s

On October 3, 2023, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) VR Chaudhari, the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF), announced during a pre-annual Air Force Day press briefing that the phase-out of the MiG-21Bison aircraft is nearing completion. According to ACM Chaudhari, this year's Air Force Day flypast, celebrating the 91st anniversary on October 8, will mark the final participation of the MiG-21Bison.

Currently, there are still three squadrons of MiG-21Bison in operation with IAF: No.3 Squadron Cobras at Nal/Bikaner AFS, No.4 Squadron Oorials at Uttarlai AFS, and No.23 Squadron Panthers at Suratgarh AFS.
The MiG-21's successor is the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Presently, the IAF has two operational squadrons equipped with LCA Tejas Mk1. The delivery of the first LCA Tejas Mk1A is scheduled to commence in February 2024.

The Air Force Commander mentioned that in addition to the previous agreement for 83 LCA-Mk1A aircraft, an order for an additional 97 fighter jets of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A will be finalized later this year. "We will enter into an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). They might also distribute some of the work to private companies." It's important to note that the figure of 97 is not intended to decrease the current estimate for the Tejas Mark.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will increase the number of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters that can carry the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic missile

The IAF had approved plans to modify 40 Su-30MKIs to enable them to operate the BrahMos Air-launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).

The Su-30MKI reportedly requires hardening in certain sections of its fuselage to carry the 2.5-ton BrahMos missile on its underside.

The modification is being performed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) locally in India. As per reports, 35 modified Su-30s have thus far been delivered to the IAF, with the service planning to approve the second batch of around 20 to 25 fighters.

The Brahmos missile increases the combat range of the Su-30MKI, enabling the IAF to strike targets at long distances. For example, as part of a test in 2020, a Su-30 armed with the air-launched version of the missile took off from a base in Punjab and struck a target in the Indian Ocean.

The target was struck deep in the Indian Ocean, approximately 4,000 kilometers away, which was considered ‘the longest’ mission of this kind.

eurasiantimes

Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000H upgrade programme delayed

The contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s was signed in 2011. Sources say only about 50% upgrade has been completed & the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. The nearly USD 2.5 billion plan to upgrade India’s Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft by the end of 2021 is set to miss the deadline, with only half of them having completed the process till now. 

The mega contract for the upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000s, which were used during the Balakot air strikes, was signed in 2011, and the idea was to bring the aircraft, bought between 1982-1985, up to date and give them better firepower, new sensors, latest electronic warfare systems and a life-extension. As part of the plan, Dassault Aviation, the original French manufacturer of the Mirage, was to upgrade two aircraft in France and then two more in India, at the Bengaluru facility of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The rest were to be upgraded by the HAL under transfer of technology. The upgrade includes a new mission computer with higher memory, new radar, advanced navigation and electronic warfare systems, advanced communication and identification systems. 

The upgraded aircraft are also supposed to undergo a massive upgrade of the cockpit, with two lateral displays, glass cockpits, and helmet-mounted displays. As of today, only about 50 per cent of the upgrades have been completed, sources in the defence and security establishment said, adding that the programme will take another 2-3 years to finish. According to the plan, the first 16 aircraft, including the four manufactured by Dassault Aviation with help from Thales, were to be delivered with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) status. The remaining 35 were to come with Final Operational Clearance (FOC) status. HAL sources said a fatal accident in February 2019 involving an upgraded Mirage during a test flight, and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic led to the delay. 

The sources added the IAF delayed the delivery of overhauled engines and certain other systems, contributing to the delay. The IAF, meanwhile, says there were issues with the FOC variant, as they were not fully satisfied with certain integration of new systems. Incidentally, the maiden flight of the first upgraded Mirage 2000 was completed successfully by Dassault Aviation on 5 October 2013, following a two-year development phase. This phase included integration of new systems provided by Thales, including the radar, the electronic warfare suite and the mission computer. The IAF had formally accepted the first two upgraded Mirage 2000 I/TI in 2015. 

theprint

India to sign $2.5-billion contract for 56 C-295 transport planes for IAF

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector. 

India will sign a $2.5-billion contract his year for the supply of 56 medium transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force to replace its fleet of aging Avro-748 planes, officials familiar with the development said on Tuesday. 

Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will jointly execute the project to equip the air force with 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Make-in-India initiative in the aerospace sector. Under the contract, Airbus will supply the first 16 aircraft in flyaway condition while the remaining 40 will be assembled in India by TASL. 

hindustantimes

India concludes price negotiations to acquire 62 C295 transport aircraft

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded price negotiations to acquire a total of 62 Airbus Defence and Space C295 medium transport aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The MoD's Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) concluded consultations with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) - which is in a joint venture (JV) with Airbus for the MTA programme - to procure the 62 platforms for around EUR2.8 billion (USD3.15 billion).
They said the aircraft deal - which would include 56 platforms for the IAF to replace the service's ageing fleet of Avro 748M transports, and six for the ICG - is expected to be signed after a new Indian government assumes office following general elections set to begin on 11 April.
The MTA programme envisages the direct import of 16 C295s and the local assembly/licence-building of the remaining 46 aircraft at a facility set up by the JV near Bangalore. In keeping with the 2013 MTA tender, 24 of these will be imported in kit form for local assembly and include a 30% indigenous content. The level of indigenous content is then expected to double to 60% in the remaining 22 platforms.
Delivery of the first locally assembled C295 is expected to begin within 60 months of the contract being signed, industry sources said.
Rahul Bedi janes

France to provide Two Second Hand Mirage 2000 aircraft to Indian Air Force

Seeking to bolster its Mirage-2000 fighter jet fleet, India is getting two of these at a dirt-cheap price of Rs 16 crore per aircraft from France. The two aircraft would be later upgraded to the highest standards by the HAL.
The French are offering the planes at Euro 2 million per aircraft and the cost of transporting the planes to India would be around Euro one million. So, at Euro five million (approx Rs 40 crore), India will get two aircraft with a life of 3,000 hours left in them.
The aircraft would also help in utilising the upgrade kits that had been ordered during the Mirage 2000 upgrade contract with France. India had a fleet of 51 Mirages but the number came down to 49 after the loss of two planes in quick succession around 2012-13.
The two Mirages coming from France would help in making up the fleet strength back to 51.
India is also getting a fleet of 32 Jaguar aircraft, which are supposed to be used as spares to support the current fleet of Jaguar fighters operated by India. The 100 Jaguar aircraft strong fleet would also help in maintaining force levels and combat the delay in procuring jets beyond the 4 plus generation fighter aircraft such as Rafale due to the Congress government impeding the decision-making.
mynation

First Flight of First Rafale for Indian Air Force

As the Rafale deal continues to be at the centre of a political maelstrom, only one of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft will be supplied from France to India until the end of the contract period in April 2022 with India-Specific Enhancements.
The balance 35 aircraft will start being delivered to India beginning September 2019 but they will be incorporated with these enhancements in India itself after the contract period at the rate of seven aircraft per month.
The “delivery of 36 Rafale aircraft in a fly-away condition along with associated equipment and weapons will commence from September 2019 and will be completed by April 2022.”
However, it will be only in September 2022 that the full complement of 36 Rafale aircraft will be available with IAF with the India-Specific Enhancements in place.
Government sources have often claimed that by negotiating a deal where the supply of 36 French jets would be completed by April 2022, it has saved five months off the UPA-era negotiations to meet the urgent operational requirements of the IAF.
indianexpress

India re-opens competition to supply 110 fighters

A global competition to sell more than 100 fighters to the Indian air force re-opened for the third time in a decade on 6 April.
The IAF released a 73-page request for information to six companies to supply 110 single- and twin-seat fighters over a maximum of 12 years.
Facing a 3 July deadline, responses are expected from the Boeing F/A-18E/F Block III, Dassault Rafale F3R, EurofighterTyphoon, Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70, United Aircraft Corp MiG-35 and Saab Gripen E.
It will be a familiar competition for the six bidding teams. The same teams squared off in 2009 for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contract for 126 fighters. India selected the Rafale, but cancelled the contract seven years later.
Instead, the IAF awarded Dassault a contract to deliver 36 Rafales in 2016, and launched a competition for a contract to build 114 single-engine fighters, which limited the field to the F-16 and Gripen.
The IAF scrapped that contest two months ago under pressure from the Indian Congress to consider single- and twin-engined fighters.
The new RFI re-opens the competition to twin-engined fighters made in the USA, Western Europe and Russia.
The RFI sets no standards for the number of engines in the IAF’s future fighter, and repeatedly references the singular or plural term, “engine/s”, in requests for data about the propulsion system.
About 82 of the 110 fighters should be single-seat aircraft and the rest should be two-seat versions, the RFI says.
A maximum of about 16 or 17 fighters can be built outside the country, but the rest must be built within India by local companies or an Indian production agency, the document shows.
As expected, technology transfer and “Made in India” will be priorities in the IAF’s bid evaluations. The bidders must describe in their responses to the RFI how they will use Indian companies as suppliers for systems and aircraft production.
flightglobal

India retires MiG-21 MiG-27ML Fleet

The Indian Air Force on Friday bid adieu to two of its old Russian-origin MiG fighter aircraft, one of which was flown by the Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa in its swansong flight.
At the Nal airbase in Rajasthan, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa flew the last sortie of the Hawkeyes, 108 Squadron, bringing a glorious end to the reign of the MiG-21 T-96 aircraft, flown by the squadron.
This comes days after former IAF chief Fali Homi Major flew the last sortie of the Mi-8 helicopter in Bengaluru before the choppers stopped flying.
"It is in the IAF tradition to have the senior-most pilot fly the oldest machine while bidding adieu," said an IAF official.
The 108 Squadron is being 'number-plated', which means it would remain dormant for the time being and would be re-formed to produce new aircraft.
In Hashimara in West Bengal, the last MiG-27 ML roared for the last time in its farewell flight.
Named Bahadur, the swing-wing MiG-27 ML has the single most powerful engine in the world with a variable geometry wing that allows a pilot to change the wing sweep angle while flying as per the mission requirements.
The aircraft, which was flown by the 22 Squadron, is also being number-plated.
Though the MLs have retired, they are not the last swing-wing aircraft in service. Some of the MiG-27s were upgraded to MiG-27 UPG, which will continue to fly.
The MiG-27 UPGs are based in Jodhpur.
deccanherald

Indian Air Force wants out of FGFA fighter program with Russia

The ambitious $10 billion Indo-Russian program for joint development and production of fifth generation fighter aircraft, or FGFA, faces a new serious hurdle, as the Indian Air Force demands a discontinuation of the project.
Senior IAF leadership recently expressed apprehension to the Ministry of Defence, claiming the proposed FGFA program with Russia does not meet desired requirements like U.S. F-35 fighter type capabilities, disclosed a senior IAF official. That official added, that “IAF is not keen to continue with the program.”
The proposed FGFA program does not meet desired stealth and cross section features compared to a F-35 fighter, the official explained, thus major structural changes are needed that cannot be met in the existing Russian prototypes.
FGFA also does not have modular engine concept, making maintenance and serviceability of the fleet expensive and troublesome. A second service official said the modular engine concept is required for the fleet serviceability and availability of FGFA aircrafts at short notice, since it can be done by the user itself.
Russians have offered non-modular engines for FGFA and its maintenance and other relations can only be handled by the manufacturer.
Russian Embassy diplomats here were unavailable for comments.
Vaijinder K Thakur, retired IAF squadron leader and defense analyst disagreement with the Air Force assessment of capability, saying that the current Russian FGFA prototype, known as Su-57, features the AL-41F1 engine. But the production variant of FGFA would be fitted with the Product 30 engine which is 30 percent lighter, features improved thrust, and has better fuel efficiency and fewer moving parts. That results in improved reliability and 30 percent lower life-cycle cost, Thakur said.
Without having operated U.S. fighters, the IAF is hardly in a position to pronounce judgment on the comparative long-term operating costs of Russian and U.S. fighters, Thakur added.
defensenews

India’s Air Force Interested in 36 More Rafale Fighter Jets From France

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is interested in placing a follow-up order for 36 additional fourth-generation Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets, according to Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) sources.
The Indian government and French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation signed a 7.87 billion euros agreement for the sale of 36 Rafale fighter jets in September 2016, following four years of protracted negotiations. Delivery of the Rafale fighter jets is expected to begin in November 2019 and will likely be completed in the middle of 2022.
Sources have now revealed to The Times of India that the IAF has made “some presentations” on the operational need for an additional 36 Rafale fighter jets arguing that a follow-up order would just cost around 60 percent of the original acquisition and induction price.
The IAFs first Rafale fighter jet squadron will be based in West Bengal, whereas the second squadron is slated to be based in Haryana. Both IAF bases will be able to accommodate an additional squadron of 18 aircraft each. “This will cut down the induction costs of the 36 additional fighters,” IAF sources said.
thediplomat

France has offered to donate 31 Jaguars to India

French daily Le Point has confirmed that President Emmanuel Macron intends to donate 31 ex-French Air Force Jaguar fighters to India
The information was first disclosed by Defense News and a high-ranking French military source has confirmed the story to Le Point.
monde

India to Begin Contract Negotiations to Acquire at least 56 Airbus C-295

The IAF is set to begin negotiations contract negotiations for acquiring 56 Airbus C-295, to replace its ageing fleet of HS-748 Aircraft. The Border Security Force is also looking at four C-295 for movement of its troopers within the country. The aircraft is to be made in India by TATA in partnership with Airbus. Airbus will supply 16 from its final assembly line in Spain in fly away condition. The following 40 aircraft will be manufactured by TATA.
economictimes.indiatimes

India signs 36-unit Rafale contract

India has concluded a deal to acquire 36 Dassault Rafale fighters, with a contract signed in New Delhi by the nation’s defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on 23 September.
Finalisation of the contract brings to a close a long-running acquisition process to equip the Indian air force with the Rafale, which was selected as the winner of its medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) tender in 2012, defeating the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon. Other previous candidates for the deal included the Lockheed Martin F-16, RAC MiG-35 and Saab Gripen.
The air force was originally slated to acquire 126 aircraft via the programme, but the original deal ran aground over cost concerns. It was revived by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France in 2105, when he declared that 36 aircraft would be acquired in “fly-away” condition from Dassault. This was keeping in view the “critical operational necessity” of the service, he said at the time.
It remains to be seen if India will decide at a later date to acquire additional fly-away examples of the type, or whether production could be transferred to India at a later date – as was the intention under the original MMRCA tender.
flightglobal

India Air Force Jets Arrive In Alaska To Red Flag 'Aggressors'

Red Flag ALASKA 16-1 that begins April 28. The Indian Air Force's contingent (4 x Su-30MKI, 4 x Jaguar Darin II, 2 x Il-78M & 2 C-17 Globemaster III) arrived on April 16 amd have been on routine practice runs at the base with USAF jets.
The joint exercise will involve simulated interdiction, attack, air superiority, defence suppression, airlift, air refueling and reconnaissance aircraft -- all profiles the IAF has proven to be formidable at in past Red Flags/Cope India/Thunder exercises.
livefistdefence

Dassault Expects Rafale Contract With India Within Month

Dassault Aviation expects India to sign a contract for Rafale fighter jets in a month's time, following Monday's signing of an intergovernmental, with France opening the door to the sale of 36 Rafale fighters.
France saw the signing as a big step forward but the financial negotiations remain to be closed, said President François Hollande.
defensenews