India Eyes Massive Rafale Expansion After Costly Clash With Pakistan

India’s Air Force has pushed for a dramatic boost to its fighter fleet, recommending the purchase of 114 additional Rafale jets from France following one of its most damaging encounters with Pakistan in recent years.

A Conflict That Exposed Vulnerabilities

The proposal comes on the heels of an 88-hour confrontation between the two nuclear-armed rivals earlier this year. The clash began after an April 22 incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where tensions spiraled into full-scale aerial skirmishes.

On May 6–7, Indian jets carried out airstrikes inside Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) retaliated with a forceful response, reportedly downing six Indian fighters—including three Rafales—and targeting multiple Indian military installations.

The fighting ceased on May 10, following an intervention by then–U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced a ceasefire via Truth Social. Islamabad publicly credited Washington for brokering the truce, while New Delhi insisted the pause was arranged through direct military-to-military channels.

The Rafale Deal on the Table

According to Indian media, the IAF has formally asked the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to clear the Rafale purchase—valued at nearly ₹2 lakh crore (around $24 billion). If approved, the deal would be India’s single largest defense acquisition to date.

Unlike earlier government-to-government orders, this batch would fall under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with Dassault Aviation expected to partner with an Indian manufacturer and ensure 60% of the aircraft’s components are locally sourced.

A Strategic Shortcut

What makes this proposal unusual is the IAF’s request to bypass the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender process, a program originally designed to evaluate multiple global contenders. Instead, the Air Force wants to directly expand its Rafale fleet, citing the urgency of replacing losses and standardizing its fighter inventory.

Bigger Picture

If the contract moves forward, India’s Rafale strength would climb to 176 aircraft. The Air Force already fields 36 Rafales, while the Navy has ordered another 36 under a separate agreement.

Such a purchase would not only cement Rafale’s position as the backbone of India’s combat aviation but also signal a long-term strategic tilt toward France, while effectively sidelining competing aircraft from the U.S., Russia, and Sweden.