India defence deal worth ₹3.60 lakh crore cleared with 114 Rafale jets, 288 S-400 missiles and additional P-8I aircraft to boost national security.
Key Highlights
- ₹3.60 lakh crore India defence deal cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council
- 114 Rafale fighter jets approved for the Indian Air Force
- 288 S-400 missiles sanctioned to strengthen layered air defence
- 6 additional P-8I Poseidon aircraft cleared for the Indian Navy
- Big boost to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives
India has approved a landmark ₹3.60 lakh crore India defence deal, marking one of the largest military acquisition clearances in the country’s history. The decision was taken by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on February 12, 2026.
The sweeping India defence deal focuses on strengthening air power, enhancing maritime surveillance, expanding missile defence capability and accelerating indigenous manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
114 Rafale Jets Anchor the India Defence Deal
The centrepiece of the India defence deal is the approval for 114 Multi Role Fighter Aircraft, primarily the Dassault Rafale for the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft will be supplied by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. The Rafale component of the India defence deal is estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore, making it one of the most expensive defence procurements ever cleared.
India currently operates 36 Rafale jets. The addition of 114 aircraft will significantly boost long range strike capability, improve air dominance and ensure higher operational readiness across multiple fronts.
Under the proposed framework, around 20 jets are expected in fly away condition, while more than 90 aircraft will be manufactured in India in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This structure is expected to ensure technology transfer, higher indigenous content and employment generation within the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
288 S-400 Missiles Strengthen Air Defence Shield
A major highlight of the India defence deal is the clearance of 288 additional S-400 missiles from Russia.
The S-400 Triumf is among the world’s most advanced surface to air missile systems. It has an engagement range of up to 400 kilometres and can simultaneously track and intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic threats.
The missile procurement, estimated at around ₹10,000 crore, includes 120 short range and 168 long range missiles. The approval is being processed under the Fast Track Procedure to replenish and expand missile inventories for India’s existing S-400 squadrons.
India currently operates three S-400 squadrons. Two additional squadrons from the earlier contract are scheduled for delivery later in 2026, completing the original five squadron agreement.
Navy Gets Six Additional P-8I Aircraft
The India defence deal also enhances maritime capability with approval for six additional P-8I Poseidon aircraft for the Indian Navy.
Manufactured by US aerospace major Boeing, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon is designed for long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare missions.
These aircraft will strengthen surveillance over critical sea lanes and enhance India’s maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean region.
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Additional Approvals Across Services
Beyond fighter jets and missile systems, the India defence deal includes several other critical approvals:
- Combat missiles for precision and stand-off strike capability
- Air Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite systems for persistent intelligence and surveillance
- Vibhav Anti-Tank Mines for the Indian Army
- Upgrades of T-72 tanks, BMP II vehicles and Armoured Recovery Vehicles
- Marine Gas Turbine (4 MW) based Electric Power Generator under Make I category
- Electro Optical and Infra-Red systems for Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft
These acquisitions aim to modernize legacy platforms while integrating advanced technology across air, land and sea domains.
Strategic Significance and Next Steps
The Acceptance of Necessity is the first stage in the procurement process. It allows technical evaluation, pricing negotiations and final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security where required.
The clearance comes ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron visiting India from February 17 to 19, 2026. Defence cooperation, particularly discussions around the Rafale programme, is expected to be high on the agenda.
With this ₹3.60 lakh crore India defence deal, the government has signalled a strong commitment to multi-layer deterrence, rapid modernisation and defence indigenization. As negotiations progress, further details regarding timelines and contracts are expected in the coming months.
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