India Shifts Focus from Rafale to Indigenous Fighter Jets with Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA
India is moving away from further Rafale purchases due to cost and policy issues, prioritizing domestic fighter jet programs like the Tejas Mk-2 and the fifth-generation AMCA. While the Indian Air Force urgently needs more jets, the government demands clearer plans on local manufacturing and technology transfer from France. Indigenous jets are expected to enter production by 2029-2030, with AMCA induction around 2035, emphasizing self-reliance and reduced foreign dependency.
India's ambitious plan to expand its fighter jet fleet through further Rafale purchases has stalled amid cost concerns and a push for self-reliance. The Indian Air Force currently operates 31 squadrons against a required 42 and recently proposed acquiring 114 Rafale jets, but the government requested more detailed plans emphasizing local manufacturing and technology transfer from Dassault Aviation. Meanwhile, India's homegrown fighter projects are gaining momentum. The Tejas Mk-2, a 4.5-generation aircraft featuring indigenous avionics and radar, is progressing with production expected by 2029-2030. The advanced AMCA stealth fighter, a fifth-generation jet, is planned for induction around 2035 with ongoing prototype development involving key Indian firms. These domestic projects are viewed as crucial to reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and boosting the defense manufacturing ecosystem via Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and private industry participation. Russia's offer of its fifth-generation Su-57E with full technology transfer complicates strategic choices but India's government remains cautious, favoring indigenous capability building. The shifting policy landscape suggests that India’s third Rafale deal may not materialize, reflecting confidence in its own aviation technology and a focus on long-term strategic strength through self-reliance.
