India on Thursday approved the purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France, one of its largest aircraft orders, ahead of the French president Emmanuel MacronVisit to the country.

The approval is part of New Delhi’s plan 3.6 trillion rupee ($39.7 billion) defense spending plan Covers multiple procurements for the Armed Forces.

The Defense Department did not specify how many aircraft it would order. local media reports India will purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets, 18 of which will be provided by the manufacturer Dassault The remaining 96 are produced domestically.

The wider package includes Boeing P8I Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft for the navy, anti-tank mines for ground forces, and upgrades to Soviet-era T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.

The new aircraft are expected to help address shortages in the Indian Air Force, which has 29 squadrons against the minimum requirement of 42, according to a 2024 parliamentary report.

air force recent Two squadrons retired The Cold War-era MiG-21 fighter jet is expected to enter service in September 2025 phase out Additional aircraft will be added in the coming years.

The purchase of the Rafale fighter jets follows another order in April. 26 Rafale Marine Corps fighter jets for the Indian Navy. Dassault said India will be the first user outside France to operate the model.

The Indian Air Force used Rafale jets in the 2025 conflict with Pakistan, when at least one aircraft Reported missing in action Chinese-made J-10Cs against Islamabad.

Macron will visit India from February 17th to 19th and plans to meet with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Discuss the expansion of bilateral cross-field cooperation.

The two leaders will also reportedly launch the India-France Year of Innovation and attend the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit in New Delhi indian ministry of foreign affairs.

“The leaders will discuss regional and global issues of mutual concern, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” the release added.