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On February 12, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, finalised the decision to procure  114 Rafale jets.In the high-stakes arena of global defence procurement, India’s decision to prioritize the 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale over the 5th-generation Su-57 and F-35 is often met with curiosity. To the casual observer, choosing a “generation-behind” platform seems counterintuitive. However, for defence ministry, this was a decision based on operational needs, strategic autonomy, and risk management. While the allure of fifth-generation stealth fighters was strong, India prioritized reliability, proven performance, and technology transfer over untested promises.

Key Reasons Behind India’s Choice

1. Urgency of Operational Needs

India faced immediate gaps in its fighter fleet due to retiring MiG-21s and delays in indigenous projects like the AMCA and Tejas MKII . IAF’s   current fighter aircraft strength is  29 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42. A standard Indian Air Force (IAF) combat squadron typically consists of 18 aircraft. While the sanctioned strength is usually 18, some squadrons may operate with slightly fewer or more, generally in the range of 16-18.As India’s main adversaries China and Pakistan modernising their fighter fleets, Indian deterrence is declining.

2.Combat proven Rafale

 Rafale was combat-proven in Libya, Mali, and Syria, offering a ready solution without waiting for Su-57’s full maturity or navigating the F-35’s political complexities.

The “Hero” of Operation Sindoor: The Rafale’s Proven Edge: The ultimate validation for the Rafale came not in a brochure, but in the heat of battle. During Operation Sindoor in May 2025—India’s precision strike response to cross-border terror—the Rafale emerged as the “hero.”

3. Technology Transfer and Strategic Autonomy

 Russia offered Su-57 with some tech transfer, but the aircraft was still in prototype-heavy stages with limited operational deployment.

The US F-35 program is highly restrictive, with no meaningful technology transfer, making India dependent on American systems and doctrines.

France, by contrast, provided customization options and integration flexibility, aligning with India’s desire for autonomy. France has positioned itself as India’s “no-strings-attached” partner. Unlike Washington or Moscow, Paris offers:

1. Full Sovereignty: No “remote kill switches” or restrictions on where and how the jets are used.
2. Industrial Integration: Dassault has agreed to move a significant portion of production to India, including the manufacturing of fuselages by 2028.India is planning to buy 114 Rafael jets, out of which 18 will be off-the-shelf and remaining 96 to be assembled in India ,at the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in Nagpur, a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation after it acquired a majority stake in September 2025.
3. The “Bridge” to AMCA: By mastering the Rafale’s 4.5-gen tech, India gains the industrial base needed to fuel its own 5th-gen project, the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). The deal is also expected to provide momentum for a joint venture between Safran (the Rafale’s engine maker) and DRDO to develop a 120 kN thrust engine for India’s 5th-gen AMCA project

4. Cost and Lifecycle Considerations

Even though the initial procurement cost of 4.5 Gen Rafale is higher than that of the F-35, its maintenance and operational costs are lower than those of the F-35. The F-35 is a 5th Gen aircraft that primarily focuses on stealthiness, which makes it more expensive. Rafale’s operational costs per flight hour are estimated at ($16,500) compared to the F-35 ($40,000+). The lower initial cost of the F-35 is attributed to its mass production.

5.Geopolitical Calculations- The “No Strings Attached” Doctrine

Unlike the U.S., France does not use defence deals as a tool for political leverage. If India goes to war with a neighbour, France will not cut off spare parts or “remote-kill” the software. The U.S. often includes “end-use monitoring” and can freeze support if India’s foreign policy diverges from Washington’s (e.g., tensions over the S-400 or trade tariffs).

Choosing the F-35 would have tied India closer to US strategic frameworks, potentially limiting independent defence policy. Operating an F-35 requires deep integration into the U.S. data cloud (ALIS/ODIN). This would mean giving the U.S. significant visibility into Indian Air Force operations—a red line for New Delhi’s “Strategic Autonomy.”

Both India and France share a deep-seated belief in a “multipolar world.” France has historically remained a reliable partner, even during India’s 1998 nuclear tests when other Western nations imposed sanctions.

While choosing Su-57 may create  overdependence on  Russia, especially amid sanctions and Moscow’s own production struggles. The war in Ukraine has strained Russia’s defence industrial base. India is wary of becoming dependent on a supply chain that might prioritize Russia’s own frontline needs or be hampered by global parts shortages.

Buying Russian jets carries the heavy risk of U.S. sanctions under the CAATSA(Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) law. While India has managed waivers for some equipment, a massive 5th-gen fighter deal could trigger an economic break with the West that India isn’t willing to risk in 2026.

There is growing concern in New Delhi about Russia’s increasing strategic dependence on China. India is hesitant to rely on a platform whose future technology or components could be influenced by Beijing.

6. Technical Reasons that gave Rafale an edge

Why not  Su-57 ?:For decades, Russia was India’s primary armorer. However, the co-development of the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft)—the Indian variant of the Su-57—became a cautionary tale. The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) was a joint Indo-Russian project, initiated in 2007 to develop a stealth fighter based on Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57, but India withdrew in 2018 due to cost, technology transfer, and performance concerns.That time Russia was reluctant to share full source code.

Poor stealth capabilities: Also India was skeptical about  Su-57’s stealth features (which were deemed insufficient. According to defence analysts ,RSC (Radar cross section )of Su-57 Felon is 0.1 to 0.50m^2 , which is significantly larger than the F-35’s RCS of 0.0015m^2

Why not F-35 ?:The U.S. remains hesitant to offer full Technology Transfer (ToT). For India, which is pushing the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, buying a “black box” that cannot be indigenously repaired or modified is a strategic non-starter.

The S-400 Conflict: The F-35 is a “flying computer” that is highly sensitive. The U.S. refuses to sell the F-35 to countries operating the Russian S-400 missile system (as seen with Turkey), fearing the S-400’s radar could learn to “see” the F-35’s stealth profile. India refuses to give up its S-400s.

Why Rafale?: The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 36 Rafale aircraft, which are of the F3R standard, customized with India-Specific Enhancements (ISE). The current proposal of 114 jets is for the Rafale F4 variant.

The Dassault Rafale F4 represents a major technological leap from the F3-R standard, shifting the aircraft from a standalone multirole fighter to a “networked warrior.” While it retains the core airframe and speed of the original Rafale, its “F4” designation focuses on collaborative combat, advanced AI, and enhanced sensor suites.

1. Enhanced Sensor Suite & Radar

The F4 standard significantly improves the pilot’s situational awareness by upgrading existing hardware:

• RBE2 AESA Radar: Now includes Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) modes. This allows for high-definition 2D ground mapping and the ability to track moving vehicles in any weather.
• Front Sector Optronics (FSO): Features a new infrared search and track (IRST) sensor for passive, long-range detection of stealthy or low-signature targets without emitting radar signals.
• TALIOS Pod: The targeting pod is upgraded for better high-resolution imaging and target tracking, both in the visible and infrared spectrums.

2. Connectivity & Collaborative Combat

The “killer app” of the F4 is its ability to act as a node in a Combat Cloud:

• Satellite Communications (SATCOM): Provides high-speed, secure long-range data links.
• Software Defined Radio (CONTACT): Enables seamless, secure communication with other aircraft, drones, and ground assets.
• Intra-patrol Data Link: Facilitates real-time data sharing within a flight group to coordinate strikes and sensor coverage.

3. Cockpit & Pilot Interface

• Thales Scorpion HMD: Replaces older helmet systems, providing a full-color digital overlay that allows pilots to cue weapons simply by looking at a target.
• Digital Overhaul: New, larger side cockpit displays with higher resolution to manage the influx of data from networked sources.
• AI-Driven Diagnostics: A new “Prognosis and Diagnostic Aid System” uses AI to predict component failures before they happen, maximizing fleet availability.

4. Expanded Weaponry & Lethality

The F4 standard integrates next-generation munitions to deal with hardened and stealthy threats:

• MICA NG (Next Generation): An air-to-air missile with a dual-pulse motor for better maneuverability and an AESA seeker to defeat stealth targets.
• 1,000 kg AASM HAMMER: A heavy-duty, precision-guided “bunker buster” variant of the HAMMER munition.
• Meteor Missile: Continued integration of the world-leading Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile.

India’s Rafale deal wasn’t about turning away from fifth-generation technology; it focused on meeting current needs while planning for the future. The Rafale helps now, but India is also putting a lot of resources into its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which aims to have a true fifth-generation jet ready by the 2030s.

In summary: Rafale was the practical option, Su-57 was the riskier choice, and F-35 was the political challenge.