India’s air power is set for a massive upgrade. The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared a proposal to procure 114 additional Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program — one of the biggest fighter jet deals in Indian military history. The move comes at a crucial time as the IAF’s fighter squadron strength has dropped to 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42. With older aircraft like the MiG-21 retired and legacy fleets nearing phase-out, the new Rafale deal is expected to significantly boost India’s air dominance and deterrence posture.