Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma,New Delhi

French President Emmanuel Macron has signalled a significant expansion of local content in India’s Rafale fighter aircraft programme, marking what he described as a “new phase” in India–France defence cooperation.


Speaking on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Macron asserted that the future of the Dassault Rafale in India would increasingly reflect the spirit of ‘Make in India’, strengthening both India’s military capabilities and industrial ecosystem.

Direct Rebuttal to Critics
Addressing questions raised in some Western quarters regarding the performance of the 4.5-generation Rafale jets, Macron dismissed the criticism as unfounded.

“Rafale enhances the strength of our nations. It reinforces strategic ties and generates employment opportunities,” he said, underlining the aircraft’s proven operational capability and alignment with India’s defence requirements.


Key ‘Make in India’ Commitments
Macron emphasized France’s commitment to deepening industrial collaboration:
Higher share of Indian-made components in Rafale platforms
Expanded maintenance and lifecycle support cooperation
Concrete steps toward co-production and diversification
Strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity
He described India’s indigenisation push as “a legitimate and historic direction,” adding that Rafale could become a cornerstone of that journey.


Talks Intensify on 114 Additional Jets
Sources indicate that India may move forward on procuring 114 additional Rafale aircraft, following preliminary clearance by the Defence Acquisition Council. High-level discussions are reportedly gaining momentum.
Macron noted that India’s requirement for advanced fighter jets will extend into the 2040s and 2050s, underscoring France’s intent to view the partnership through a long-term strategic lens.


Submarine Cooperation Also on Table
The French President also expressed readiness to supply additional submarines to the Indian Navy, signalling expanded cooperation beyond the air domain.


A Broader Strategic Partnership
Macron clarified that India–France ties are not confined to defence transactions but represent a comprehensive global strategic partnership. He described the evolving collaboration as “a step forward in the direction of history.”


Strategic Significance
Experts believe that increasing local content in the Rafale programme could significantly accelerate India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing while deepening mutual strategic trust between New Delhi and Paris.


With industrial cooperation, potential new aircraft orders, and expanded naval collaboration under discussion, the Rafale programme appears poised to enter a transformative phase — blending operational strength with domestic capability building.