Introduction January 2026 has turned out to be a historic month for the Indian Air Force (IAF). After years of delays and discussions about the falling squadron strength, the Ministry of Defence has finally hit the accelerator. In a massive development, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has cleared the proposal for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), signaling a clear preference for the French Rafale. At the same time, critical updates have emerged regarding the indigenous Tejas Mk1A deliveries and the first flight of the next-gen Tejas Mk2. Here is a complete breakdown of India’s fighter jet roadmap for 2026.
The Mega Deal: 114 Rafales “Make in India”
On January 16, 2026, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) officially cleared the proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets. This deal, valued at approximately $36 billion (₹3.25 lakh crore), is set to be one of India’s largest-ever defense contracts.
- Why Rafale Again? Instead of running a fresh competition for the MRFA tender (which had contenders like F-21 and Gripen), the IAF has opted for the Rafale to ensure logistics commonality with the 36 jets already in service.
- Production Plan: Unlike the previous deal (which was off-the-shelf), this contract focuses heavily on “Make in India.”
- 18 Jets: To be bought in “fly-away” condition from France.
- 96 Jets: To be manufactured in India, likely at a new facility in Nagpur.
- Next Steps: The proposal now moves to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Minister Rajnath Singh, and finally to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
- Macron Visit: Final negotiations are expected to gain momentum during French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India in February 2026.
Tejas Mk1A: Delays & New Delivery Target
While the Rafale news is positive, the indigenous Tejas program has faced hurdles. The IAF is currently grappling with delays in the Tejas Mk1A deliveries due to supply chain issues with the GE F404 engines from the USA.
- Latest Commitment: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed that it will deliver six Tejas Mk1A jets to the IAF by March 31, 2026.
- The Backlog: India has ordered 83 Tejas Mk1A jets (plus another 97 approved), but deliveries were supposed to start earlier. HAL is now ramping up production lines in Bengaluru and Nashik to meet the deadline.
Tejas Mk2: First Flight in mid-2026
Perhaps the most exciting update for defense enthusiasts is about the Tejas Mk2, the larger and more powerful successor to the current Tejas.
- Launch Date: DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat has confirmed that the first flight of the Tejas Mk2 is scheduled between June and July 2026.
- Rollout: The prototype is expected to roll out of the hangar by March or April 2026.
- Capabilities: The Mk2 will be a medium-weight fighter (MWF) with a higher payload, better range, and the powerful GE F414 engine, designed to replace the aging Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets.
Why is this Expansion Urgent?
The IAF is currently operating with a dangerous deficit in its fighter fleet.
- Squadron Crunch: The authorized strength is 42 squadrons to handle a “two-front war” (China and Pakistan). Currently, the IAF is down to roughly 29 squadrons.
- Retirements: The last of the MiG-21 Bisons are being phased out, and the Jaguars are aging fast. Without immediate inductions (like the 114 Rafales and accelerated Tejas production), this gap could widen further by 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the 114 fighter jet deal finalized?
The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) cleared the proposal on January 16, 2026. However, final approvals from the DAC and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) are still pending. The final contract signing might take a few more months.
2. Will the new Rafales be made in India?
Yes. Under the new proposal, 96 out of the 114 Rafales will be manufactured in India with significant transfer of technology (ToT), likely involving Indian private sector partners like Tata or Reliance.
3. When will the Tejas Mk2 fly?
The DRDO has officially targeted June–July 2026 for the first flight of the Tejas Mk2.
4. How many Tejas Mk1A jets will IAF get in 2026?
HAL has promised to deliver 6 jets by March 2026. The production rate is expected to increase to 16 jets per year once the engine supply stabilizes.
5. What is the estimated cost of the 114 Rafale deal?
The deal is estimated to be worth around $36 billion (approx. ₹3.25 lakh crore), covering the jets, technology transfer, and setting up a manufacturing line in India.