New Delhi, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s proposed acquisition of additional Rafale fighter jets from France will help establish a second fighter aircraft production line in the country while advancing the indigenisation of defence manufacturing, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Sunday.
Speaking at the ‘Strategy to Capability: Building India’s Defence Edge’ fireside chat at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, Singh said France had agreed to India’s requirement for manufacturing Rafale aircraft in the country with significant levels of indigenous content.
“Rafale is a proven aircraft. France has agreed to our mandate that they make it in India with significant levels of indigenisation. It enables us to create a second production line for fighter aircraft in the country, which is why we are going through with it,” Singh said.
The Defence Secretary, who also holds additional charge as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), stressed that the Rafale procurement would not replace India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme.
“Even as we continue with the Rafale deal, the indigenous LCA Tejas Mark 1A programme will continue,” he said, describing it as a spiral development model involving progressive improvements, including indigenous radars and weapons.
The Defence Acquisition Council had earlier approved the procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), with the majority of the aircraft to be manufactured in India.
Singh also said the Indian Air Force’s key capability gaps were being addressed, particularly the declining fighter fleet and shortages of force multipliers such as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and aerial refuellers.
“All three gaps are on the way to being filled. It won’t happen overnight, but once contracts are signed, delivery expectations are locked in,” he said.
The government has also been expanding indigenous defence manufacturing across other areas. The Defence Ministry recently signed contracts involving indigenously developed systems, including satellite-guided anti-airfield weapons for the IAF and auxiliary power units for T-72 and T-90 tanks.
The proposed Rafale manufacturing arrangement is part of India’s broader effort to expand domestic defence production while strengthening the capabilities of the armed forces.
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