The Indian Air Force has issued a tender seeking a comprehensive support package for all 36 Rafale fighter jets in its fleet, effectively confirming the operational status of the entire acquisition and countering Pakistani claims about the aircraft’s availability, according to reports.
The tender, released by IAF authorities, covers maintenance, spare parts, technical support, and logistics coordination for the complete Rafale inventory. This procurement action signals that New Delhi views the entire 36-aircraft tranche as active and mission-ready, dismissing any doubts about the delivery timeline or operational integration of the jets.
India signed a contract in September 2016 with French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation for 36 Rafale fighters at a cost of approximately 59,000 crores, making it one of the Indian Air Force’s most significant equipment acquisitions. The first batch of four jets arrived at Ambala Air Force Station in July 2020, followed by successive deliveries that expanded the fleet gradually over the next three years.
The Rafale is a fourth-generation twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft with a combat radius of 1,852 kilometres. It operates across air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea missions with a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. The aircraft is equipped with the Thales RBE2 active electronically scanned array radar and can carry a weapons payload of up to 6,000 kilograms.
Pakistan had periodically claimed that the Rafale fleet faced operational constraints or that only a portion of the ordered jets were truly combat-effective. The IAF’s tender action for all 36 aircraft represents a public affirmation that the entire squadron is integrated into India’s operational air defence posture and requires sustained logistical backing.
The support package tender includes provisions for line maintenance at forward airbases, scheduled depot-level overhauls, supply chain management for critical components, and technical advisory support from Dassault Aviation. Such comprehensive logistics frameworks are essential for fast-jet operations at high utilisation rates, particularly in the Indian theatre where Rafales operate from multiple bases across the northern, eastern, and central regions.
By 2023, the IAF had fully operationalised two Rafale squadrons, 17 and 71, with pilots trained on the platform and combat protocols established. The aircraft have participated in major exercises including Vivaan and Tarun, demonstrating interoperability with other frontline assets. The support package tender reflects the Air Force’s confidence in sustaining this capability over the next decade as these jets form a core pillar of India’s air superiority strategy.
-
-
-
-
