Safran ready to open India engine production in Rafale deal

Safran, which makes ⁠M-88 engines for the Dassault Aviation jet, will also buy parts from local suppliers to support India's aerospace industry, Olivier Andries ‌told reporters.

India on Thursday gave initial clearance for procurements ⁠including Rafale and Boeing P-8I maritime patrol planes ahead of a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron next week.

India currently has 36 Rafale ‘C' jets, which are deployed with No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) in Hasimara, West Bengal and the No. 17 Squadron (Golden Arrows) in Ambala.

The additional aircraft are expected to help reduce a shortfall in the IAF. The air force has 29 squadrons against the minimum requirement of 42, a 2024 parliamentary report stated. In September, the IAF retired two squadrons of Cold War-era MiG-21 fighters and is expected to phase out additional aircraft in the future.

The twin‑engine, multi-role fighter jet had been part of Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack last year.

The purchase follows another order in April for 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, CNBCreported. India will become the first user outside France to operate this variant, as per Dassault.

Apart from the Rafale Jets, the IAF was granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for multiple programs, including Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) as well as Combat Missiles.