MRFA Deal for 114 Rafale Jets May Be Finalised This Year: India's Fighter Gap Explained
The Chief of the Air Staff said India may finalise the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal within the current financial year (2026–27, which ends on 31 March 2027), if things go as planned.
The MRFA deal is for 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, under a government-to-government route. The Defence Acquisition Council gave its approval in principle (called Acceptance of Necessity) in February 2026. The deal is estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore.
Price talks and other key issues are still going on. Reports say about 18 jets would come ready-made from France and most of the rest would be built in India.
The Air Chief said the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs 36 to 40 new aircraft every year for the next few years to stop its fighter numbers from falling further.
If India's own fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is delayed, the IAF may have to look at another platform for the gap. Russia has offered its Su-57 fighter, but no decision has been taken on it.
Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Programme
The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme is the Indian Air Force's plan to buy 114 modern fighter jets of the "medium" class. A multi-role fighter can do many jobs in the same flight: fight enemy planes in the air, strike targets on the ground, and gather information. India needs these jets to fill the gap left by old aircraft that are retiring. As of 2026, the government has chosen the French Rafale for this programme.
The Air Chief's statement shows the MRFA is in its final price-negotiation stage, after approval in February 2026. Signing it this financial year would start filling the squadron gap that has widened since the MiG-21 retired.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India's own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, now being developed. It is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which works under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It will be a twin-engine jet built to be very hard for enemy radars to detect. It is meant to be the IAF's main advanced fighter from the mid-2030s.
The Air Chief linked the AMCA's progress to future buying decisions: if the AMCA is delayed, the IAF may need a foreign fifth-generation jet, such as Russia's offered Su-57, to fill the gap. The MRFA Rafales are a 4.5-generation bridge until the AMCA arrives.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is the Ministry of Defence's rulebook for buying weapons and platforms for the armed forces. It sets out the steps, from stating a need to signing a contract, and it gives first preference to buying from Indian industry. It lists buying categories in order of preference, with "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" at the top. It also allows purchases through agreements directly between two governments.
The MRFA deal is moving along the DAP path: AoN by the DAC in February 2026, price talks now, and then CCS approval and contract signing, which the Air Chief hopes will happen within this financial year.
- MRFA: 114 Rafale jets, G2G route with France; AoN in February 2026; estimated about ₹3.25 lakh crore
- Target to finalise: current financial year (ends 31 March 2027), subject to price negotiations
- IAF needs 36 to 40 new aircraft a year for the next few years
- IAF fighter squadrons: about 29 against a sanctioned 42
- Earlier deals: 36 Rafale (IGA, 23 September 2016); 26 Rafale Marine for the Navy (28 April 2025)
- AMCA: India's fifth-generation stealth fighter; ₹15,000 crore for prototype development (CCS, March 2024)
- Russia has offered the Su-57; no decision taken