SOURCE: AFI
A recent report suggests that India’s any plans for follow-on purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France may face delays due to a substantial production backlog at Dassault Aviation. Unlike the previous 2016 deal, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) began receiving its first Rafales within four years, the current backlog of around 180 jets ordered by other nations may push deliveries of additional Rafales for India to 6-7 years from the order date.
Dassault Aviation is currently working to clear a sizeable order book for Rafale jets from multiple countries, including Egypt, Greece, the UAE, and Indonesia. To manage these commitments, the company is operating its production line at a rate of about two jets per month, aiming to deliver around 20 Rafales annually. This moderate pace, though efficient for sustaining quality and production standards, is not sufficient to quickly address a new order of 36 jets for India within a shorter timeframe.
The 2016 contract, which saw the first Rafale delivered to the IAF in 2020, was completed in just 36 months thanks to Dassault’s focused production resources at the time. The current backlog, however, has created a queuing effect, making immediate scaling to accommodate a similar timeframe challenging without considerable investment in production infrastructure or additional manufacturing lines.
The IAF has long expressed the need to boost its squadron strength with additional Rafales, which are critical to meeting modern combat and deterrence capabilities. A follow-on order would not only enhance India’s air dominance in the region but also allow the IAF to maintain fleet commonality, thereby reducing logistical and operational challenges. The Rafale has already proven its capabilities in Indian service, from advanced air-to-air combat readiness to precision strike capability, making it a preferred choice for the IAF.
If Dassault is unable to expedite its production rate, India may face strategic implications in terms of defense preparedness, especially given the growing emphasis on securing high-performance platforms to counter evolving threats in the region. However, as an alternative, the IAF may explore interim measures, such as leasing options or ramping up indigenous fighter programs like the LCA Tejas and AMCA to temporarily supplement its fleet requirements.
France and India may also negotiate for production prioritization or explore options for setting up additional assembly or maintenance lines in India. Such initiatives would be in line with the “Make in India” strategy and could open pathways for co-production, technical transfer, and industrial collaboration.