Before Macron's visit, the Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence had approved the indigenous production of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The Rafale is manufactured by the French company Dassault.

Following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit (February 16-19), the Make in India Rafale deal has gained momentum. A proposal regarding the deal will soon be submitted from the Ministry of Defense to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) so that the deal can be signed within the next four to six months.

According to top sources in the Defense Ministry, the timeline for the Rafale and other weapons procurement processes will be shortened to ensure the delivery of fighter jets and other weapons as quickly as possible. Currently, the process for purchasing any weapon from another country is lengthy and takes considerable time.

DAC gave approval to IAF to manufacture fighter aircraft

Prior to Macron's visit, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Ministry of Defense approved the domestic production of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The Rafale is manufactured by the French company Dassault. Dassault could, in collaboration with an Indian company, establish a new Rafale plant in the country.

It is believed that Dassault may enter into this agreement with Tata, as the two companies already jointly manufacture some of the Rafale's airframes in Hyderabad. Therefore, it is highly likely that this plant could be located in either Hyderabad or Nagpur, as Dassault already has an aviation plant in Nagpur.

After the DAC, the deal proposal is sent to the CCS and the Ministry of Finance. Only then is a deal with France likely to be finalized. The Indian Air Force will receive the Made in India Rafale by 2029. Therefore, it is highly likely that 16 of the 114 aircraft will be purchased directly from Dassault.

India had signed a deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from France in 2016.

In 2016, India decided to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets directly from France, at a total cost of approximately ₹59,000 crore. In April last year, India signed a deal to purchase the marine version of the Rafale fighter jets, known as the Rafale (M), for the Navy. These Rafale (M) fighters will be deployed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

In response to a dwindling squadron size, the Indian Air Force submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defense to manufacture 114 Rafale fighter jets indigenously. Like the previous Rafale deal, this one will also be a G2G (Government to Government) agreement. Following the agreement, Dassault, the French manufacturer of the Rafale, will establish a manufacturing plant in India in partnership with an indigenous company. The indigenous Rafale fighter jets produced in India will feature approximately 60 percent indigenous weapons and equipment.

Considering the operational capabilities of the existing Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, it was decided to manufacture French fighter aircraft under Make in India.

India also signed a deal for the Rafale Marine version last year.

In April last year, India signed a deal with France for 26 Rafale (M) marine versions for the Navy, costing approximately ₹63,000 crore. These Rafale (M) aircraft will be purchased to be deployed on the Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The Navy will only receive its first Rafale marine aircraft by 2028.