India’s fighter jet strategy is drawing global attention as the Air Force evaluates whether acquiring 250 Tejas Mark-2 jets could be a more efficient alternative to buying 114 Rafales from France. The Rafales offer strong combat capability but come with a substantial financial burden of ₹2–2.5 lakh crore, an amount that could consume a decade of IAF capital budgets.
The IAF already operates 36 Rafales and has cleared 26 Marine Rafales for the Navy, but another batch of 114 remains under evaluation due to cost concerns. Meanwhile, India’s indigenous Tejas Mark-2 project has advanced significantly, with HAL reporting 60% prototype completion and a first flight expected in 2026. Testing will run till 2029–30 before full-scale production begins.
India currently fields 30 squadrons against the required 42, and strategic experts argue the need may rise to 60 squadrons in view of China–Pakistan two-front risks. With Tejas Mark-2 priced at ₹700 crore per unit compared to Rafale’s ~₹1,600 crore, the economic advantage is clear.
Tejas Mark-2 will be equipped with a GE-414 engine, BrahMos, Astra-2 BVR missiles, advanced radar, AI-supported flight systems, a 1,500 km combat radius, and 13 hardpoints. India is already procuring 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets.
Defence analysts note that for the same budget as 114 Rafales, India could field around 250 Tejas Mark-2 jets, addressing long-term squadron gaps. The primary concern is engine delivery delays from GE, which have already slowed Mark-1A production.
