Macron Confirms India to Co-Produce 114 Rafale Jets in Major "Make in India" Boost. -

In a significant move for “Make in India,” French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day visit (Feb 17–19, 2026) by confirming plans to co-produce 114 Rafale fighter jets within India. This partnership marks a “new era of defense cooperation,” shifting from simple procurement to large-scale domestic manufacturing.

Rafale Co-Production and Expansion

Following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) initial clearance last week, the proposed deal is one of India’s largest-ever defense acquisition pushes:

Domestic Manufacturing: Up to 90 of the 114 jets are expected to be produced in India through a joint venture, likely involving Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) in Nagpur.
Estimated Cost: The mega-deal for the 114 aircraft is projected to cost approximately 3.25 trillion Indian rupees ($35.65 billion).
Indigenous Content: The partnership aims for a maximum number of Indian components, including a potential M88 engine assembly line by Safran to support localization goals.
Existing Fleet: India has already purchased 36 Rafales for the Air Force and recently ordered 26 marine versions for the Navy.

Expanding Naval and Aerospace Capabilities

The “Special Global Strategic Partnership” elevated during this visit extends well beyond fighter jets:

Submarine Cooperation: Macron expressed hope to replicate the Rafale’s success in the naval sector, offering additional capacities for Scorpene submarines beyond the six already constructed under Project 75.
Helicopter Assembly: Macron and PM Modi virtually inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Airbus H125 in Vemagal, Karnataka, a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems.
Precision Munitions: Plans were announced to jointly produce Hammer missiles in India through a collaboration between Safran and Bharat Electronics.

Strategic and Regional Significance

The visit occurred against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The Rafale’s combat-readiness was a focal point following the May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan, where both sides made conflicting claims regarding aircraft losses. By fostering strategic autonomy through co-production, France remains India’s most trusted European partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes based on official diplomatic statements and media reports from President Macron’s visit to India. Final terms of the Rafale and submarine deals are still under negotiation and subject to official government contracts. Please refer to the respective Ministries of Defence for confirmed procurement details.