India's Rafale Deal Expands Domestic Production and Enables First Mid‑Air Refuel with Australia

India is moving ahead with a plan to acquire 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets under the Multi‑Role Fighter Aircraft programme. A partnership with Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited will create a new facility in Hyderabad to manufacture complete fuselage sections, allowing the aircraft to be assembled both for the Indian Air Force and for export to other customers. The first batch will be delivered fly‑away from France, while the remaining jets are slated for final assembly in India, turning the country into a potential hub for future Rafale production.

During Exercise Pitch Black 2026, an Indian Air Force Rafale was refuelled in mid‑air by a Royal Australian Air Force KC‑30A tanker, marking the first such operation for Indian Rafales. The refuelling demonstrated the interoperability enabled by a 2024 India‑Australia agreement and highlighted the Rafale’s growing role in India’s air power following the 2025 India‑Pakistan crisis.