India Signs ₹1,500 Crore Deal to Boost Rafale Fleet with Long-Range Meteor Missiles

In a major step to reinforce its aerial strike power, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to acquire a new batch of Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) for its Rafale fighter jets under a deal valued at around ₹1,500 crore, according to official sources.

The Meteor, developed by European missile manufacturer MBDA, is considered among the most advanced air-to-air missiles in the world. With an effective range of up to 200 kilometers, it enables pilots to engage enemy aircraft long before being detected, providing India a decisive edge in modern air combat.

The Rafale is currently the only aircraft in the IAF inventory capable of carrying the Meteor, making the acquisition a focused investment in maintaining India’s aerial supremacy. The new order is expected to replenish existing missile stocks and ensure the sustained readiness of India’s Rafale squadrons based in Ambala (Haryana) and Hasimara (West Bengal).

Defence officials have confirmed that the procurement proposal has reached an advanced approval stage under the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). Once cleared, it will be processed under the Buy (Global) category to secure the missiles directly from MBDA.

Sources indicate that this purchase is part of India’s broader modernization drive, complementing indigenous projects such as the Astra Mk-II missile, which will be equipped on other fighter platforms like the Su-30MKI and Tejas Mk-1A in the coming years.

Experts say the Meteor’s combination of active radar guidance and ramjet propulsion offers a “no-escape zone” much larger than conventional BVR missiles, effectively deterring adversaries from even approaching Indian airspace.

The move comes amid growing regional tensions and rapid air-power developments by neighboring countries. Analysts believe this upgrade will not only improve the IAF’s combat depth but also reinforce India’s preparedness for high-intensity aerial operations along both western and northern fronts.

With this acquisition, India joins a select group of nations – including the UK, France, and Germany – that operate the Meteor missile system, marking another milestone in the country’s journey toward a stronger and more self-reliant defence posture.