Story perspectives

India could finalize 114 Rafale jet deal this year

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 4:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

India finalizes Rafale

India aims to finalize a deal for 114 Rafale jets by the end of the current financial year.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said the IAF must acquire 36 to 40 aircraft annually to restore squadron strength.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the Rafale programme could be finalized within this financial year.
Russia has offered Su-57 fifth-generation fighters to India, but no decision has been taken.

Summary

Singh pushes AI

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the Indian Air Force must become an AI-augmented force to stay operationally relevant.
Singh urged integrating drones and loitering munitions into existing squadrons rather than creating separate units.
Singh called for an urgent decision on developing an indigenous fighter-jet engine to ensure self-reliance.
Singh warned personnel about “honey-trap” threats and urged heightened vigilance and sensitisation.

History

Historical Context

India’s 2000 deal with Russia to licence-build the Su-30MKI – starting with 140 jets and later reaching 272 in service – formed the IAF’s backbone. Decades of indigenisation under Hindustan Aeronautics Limited now underpin Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh’s push for AI-enabled drones and a domestic engine to avoid future reliance on foreign platforms.

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India finalizes Rafale

India aims to finalize a deal for 114 Rafale jets by the end of the current financial year.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said the IAF must acquire 36 to 40 aircraft annually to restore squadron strength.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the Rafale programme could be finalized within this financial year.
Russia has offered Su-57 fifth-generation fighters to India, but no decision has been taken.

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