India has authorised a £30bn defence procurement package that includes Rafale fighters, Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and missiles to modernise its forces and strengthen ties with the US and France. The Defence Acquisition Council has recorded an "acceptance of necessity" for 114 Rafales and six P-8Is, though final cabinet clearance is still required. Officials and analysts say the purchases are designed to bolster air and maritime deterrence against growing Chinese and Pakistani capabilities. Some claims about losses in a recent India–Pakistan clash remain unverified.
India Approves £30bn Defence Package, Deepening Military Ties With the US and France
The Indian air force is expected to announce its orders for Rafale fighter jets when Emmanuel Macron visits the country next week - Idrees Mohammed/AFP/Getty
India has approved a £30 billion defence procurement programme that marks one of the country’s largest recent air-power upgrades and signals a move to deepen defence ties with Western partners.
The package includes French Rafale multi-role fighters, US-built Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and a range of combat missiles. Officials say the acquisitions are intended to modernise India’s armed forces and strengthen deterrence against growing threats from China and Pakistan.
A Boeing P-8I Poseidon, centre, is the aircraft of choice to monitor Chinese naval developments in the Indian Ocean - Tengku Baha/AFP/Getty
Details and Official Notes
A defence ministry spokesman said the Rafale purchase "will enhance the capability of undertaking air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost the deterrence capabilities of the Indian Air Force with long-range offensive strikes." The spokesman did not disclose a final price breakdown or the number of aircraft.
Separately, an Indian defence official told reporters that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recorded an "acceptance of necessity" for 114 Rafale fighters and six Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft. The DAC’s approvals are a key step but large procurements still require final clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian air force used Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in its brief conflict with neighbouring Pakistan in May 2025 - Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty
Strategic Context
Analysts say the purchases reflect a strategic pivot after decades of reliance on Russia for major defence platforms. The P-8I aircraft will enhance India’s maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean, where Chinese naval activity has increased markedly. The Rafale order is meant to help sustain India’s fighter squadrons while indigenous programmes continue to develop.
The package follows a brief but intense clash with Pakistan in May, during which Pakistan claimed it shot down six Indian aircraft—including three Rafales—claims that India has said it is investigating; New Delhi has acknowledged losses but has not released firm tallies. Pakistan reportedly used Chinese-made J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 air-to-air missiles during the confrontation. International mediation reportedly helped secure a cessation of hostilities at the time.
India added to its batch of US Apache helicopters last year - Sakib Ali/Hindustan Times/Getty
Expert Views
Christopher Clary, a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center’s South Asia programme, told The Telegraph that India has struggled to maintain sufficient squadrons as China’s air force modernises rapidly. He said the Rafales and P-8Is are sensible acquisitions to plug capability gaps while domestic programmes mature.
Next Steps
Officials expect the Rafale announcement to be timed with an upcoming visit to India by French President Emmanuel Macron. The government must still secure final approvals and complete contract negotiations and delivery schedules.
Note: Some figures and claims around the May clashes remain disputed or unconfirmed by independent sources; this article reports official statements and widely cited claims while noting uncertainties where appropriate.
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