In a significant step toward strengthening its military capabilities, India has moved forward with a major expansion of its air and maritime power by advancing proposals for additional Rafale fighter jets and P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft. The decisions, cleared at the level of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), reflect a broader effort to modernise the armed forces amid evolving security challenges across land and sea.
The proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft marks one of the largest fighter jet procurement plans in the country’s history. India already operates 36 Rafale jets, inducted into the Indian Air Force following a government-to-government agreement with France signed in 2016. Those aircraft are currently deployed in strategically sensitive sectors and are equipped with advanced radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities and long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.
The fresh approval comes at a time when the Indian Air Force faces a notable gap between its sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons and its current operational levels, which remain significantly lower due to the phased retirement of older platforms such as the MiG-21. Defence planners have repeatedly underscored the need to replenish and modernise the fleet to maintain credible deterrence along India’s borders with China and Pakistan. The proposed expansion of the Rafale fleet is intended to address part of that shortfall while enhancing qualitative superiority in aerial combat.
Under the broader procurement framework, a portion of the new aircraft is expected to be delivered in fly-away condition, while the remaining jets are planned for production in India in partnership with domestic industry. The involvement of Indian private sector companies aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative in defence manufacturing, which seeks to build indigenous capability, reduce import dependency and develop a long-term aerospace ecosystem within the country.
Alongside the fighter jet expansion, the government has also advanced the proposal to procure six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy. India currently operates a fleet of P-8I aircraft, which are customised variants of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon used for long-range maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering. These aircraft play a crucial role in monitoring the Indian Ocean Region, an area of increasing strategic importance due to rising naval deployments and expanding submarine activity.
The P-8I platform is equipped with advanced sensors, radar systems and anti-submarine warfare tools, enabling the Navy to track underwater threats and safeguard vital sea lanes. As global trade and energy flows heavily depend on secure maritime routes through the Indian Ocean, enhanced surveillance capability is viewed as essential for national security and regional stability. Additional aircraft would allow for broader coverage, faster response times and sustained operations across vast maritime zones.
The approvals also reflect India’s strategic approach of maintaining diversified defence partnerships. France remains one of India’s key defence suppliers, with decades of collaboration spanning aircraft and naval systems. At the same time, India’s defence ties with the United States have expanded significantly over the past two decades, particularly in the maritime domain. The procurement of advanced platforms from multiple partners is consistent with India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy while strengthening interoperability and technological depth.
From a strategic perspective, the combined expansion of air and maritime capabilities underscores India’s focus on preparedness in a complex security environment. On land, tensions along the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control require sustained readiness and rapid air response capabilities. At sea, the growing presence of foreign naval forces and submarines in the Indian Ocean has prompted a renewed emphasis on maritime domain awareness.
Beyond operational advantages, the proposed acquisitions carry industrial implications. Local production and integration efforts are expected to generate skilled employment, boost supply chains and support maintenance, repair and overhaul infrastructure within India. Over time, such initiatives may contribute to greater technological self-reliance and support future indigenous programmes, including advanced combat aircraft development.
While the proposals still require final financial clearance at the highest levels of government before contracts are concluded, the direction of policy is clear. India is seeking to balance immediate capability enhancement with long-term defence industrial growth. The Rafale expansion would reinforce air superiority and strike flexibility, while the additional P-8I aircraft would strengthen surveillance and anti-submarine operations across critical maritime zones.
Together, these approvals signal a calibrated but decisive step in India’s defence modernisation trajectory. As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, the expansion of advanced aircraft fleets is likely to shape India’s deterrence posture and strategic influence in the years ahead.
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Last Updated on: Friday, February 13, 2026 12:17 pm by News Proton Team | Published by: News Proton Team on Friday, February 13, 2026 12:17 pm | News Categories: India