India nears $35 billion deal to build France’s Rafale fighter jets locally amid Egypt, Morocco and Algeria’s race for advanced fighters
India is moving closer to a $35 billion deal for 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets, with most of the aircraft expected to be built locally, as North African countries also pursue advanced combat aircraft from competing global suppliers.
Black News 
India is moving closer to a $35 billion deal for 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets, with most of the aircraft expected to be built locally, as North African countries also pursue advanced combat aircraft from competing global suppliers.
- India is nearing a $35 billion deal to acquire 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets, with significant domestic production planned.
- France proposes supplying the first 20 Rafales while allowing India to manufacture the remaining 94, making India a key Rafale hub.
- India's efforts align with a broader push to boost domestic defense production and come after previous Rafale purchases for its air force and navy.
- North African nations are also modernizing their air forces, with Egypt expanding its Rafale fleet, Morocco weighing Rafale and US F-35 options, and Algeria acquiring Russia's Su-57.
The latest developments come as Egypt, Morocco and Algeria pursue different paths to modernise their air forces, with the Rafale emerging as one of the advanced fighter options gaining ground in North Africa.
France has submitted a technical and commercial proposal for 114 Dassault Rafale fighters, with the first 20 expected from France and the remaining 94 potentially built in India with local partners.
The deal would establish the South Asian country as a major Rafale production base outside France while supporting New Delhi’s push to expand domestic defence manufacturing.
New Delhi already operates 36 Rafales with its air force and signed a $7.4 billion deal in April 2025 for 26 Rafale Marine fighters for its navy.
More recently, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh ruled out new Sukhoi purchases, including the Su-57, despite the country’s longstanding defence ties with Moscow and its multibillion-dollar purchase of Russia’s S-400 system.
The decision leaves the twin-engine Rafale, capable of air defence, reconnaissance, ground attack and anti-ship operations, as the more prominent near-term option for expanding its fighter fleet.
At the same time, the proposed production arrangement could strengthen France’s Rafale programme as Paris reassesses its long-term fighter strategy following the breakdown of its joint next-generation combat aircraft project with Germany.
Against that backdrop, New Delhi has also been linked to possible participation in a France-led successor programme, potentially deepening defence cooperation between the two countries beyond the Rafale.
North Africa Looks Beyond Existing Fleets
The South Asian country is not alone in seeking to strengthen its air force, with North African governments also weighing advanced fighter options as access to some of the world’s most sophisticated aircraft remains limited.
Across the region, countries are considering platforms including the US-made F-35, China’s J-35, Russia’s Su-57 and France’s Rafale.
Egypt is already Africa’s largest Rafale operator, having ordered 24 aircraft before adding another 30 in 2021, taking its planned fleet to 54.
Morocco, meanwhile, is assessing options for the next phase of its military aviation programme, including the US-made F-35 stealth fighter.
However, with no deal announced and access to the F-35 requiring Washington’s approval, Rabat has continued to explore alternatives, including France’s Rafale.
Reports have linked Morocco to talks for between 12 and 18 Rafale F4 fighters as it seeks to strengthen a combat fleet centred on US-made F-16s.\
Algeria Takes Russian Route
Algeria, meanwhile, has turned to Russia, acquiring the Su-57E and becoming the first foreign customer for the fifth-generation fighter.
The aircraft will join a fleet that already includes several Russian-built platforms, including the Su-30.
The three countries are therefore pursuing different procurement paths, with Egypt expanding its French Rafale fleet, Algeria opting for Russia’s Su-57, and Morocco continuing to assess French and American aircraft.
