In its biggest-ever push, the Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale jets from French plane manufacturer Dassault, setting the stage for a long-drawn strategic tie-up for the Indian Air Force’s battle readiness.The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), also okayed the acquisition of six additional US-made Boeing P8-I surveillance planes for the Navy. It also approved the purchase of a high-altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) vehicle and 350-plus Scalp long-range air-launched cruise missiles that played a major role in last year’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC meeting accorded “acceptance of necessity” (AoN) for proposals of the services having an estimated value of about Rs 3.60 lakh crore ($39 billion), the MoD said. The payment schedule will be spread across several financial years and the AoN is the first step towards the acquisition process.The purchase of 114 Rafales will allow France Russia-like dominance in India’s combat jet sector. The planes will be acquired under a Make in India scheme, with Dassault partnering with an Indian company. The Air Force already flies 36 Rafales while the Navy has ordered 26 marine variant planes.After the latest acquisition, India will have 176 Rafales in its fleet, with experts saying increasing the numbers would reduce maintenance costs. The Russian-origin Sukhoi 30MKI jets—272 in number—so far comprise the largest fleet.A Rafale flight-training and maintenance, repair and overhaul facility is operational at the IAF base in Ambala. The Air Force has the capacity—space, spares, tooling and trained manpower—to immediately induct two squadrons (some 36-38 planes).The French plane maker will integrate Indian weapons, missiles and ammunition on all 114 jets and also provide secure data links to allow digital integration of the jets with Indian radars and sensors. This will allow sending imagery to ground-based controllers.Dassault will be facilitating the transfer of technology (ToT) for manufacturing air frames. The company’s suppliers, including engine maker Safran and avionics provider Thales, will be part of the ToT. The indigenous content is expected to be between 55 per cent and 60 per cent once the ToT for the air frames, engines and avionics is done.The Cabinet Committee on Security, which is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to give the final approval. India and France are looking to seal the deal for the jets when a meeting is scheduled between PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who will be visiting India from February 17-19.On the purchase of six Boeing P8I planes, the MoD said the acquisition would significantly boost the Navy’s combat and war-fighting capability in long-range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capability.The Navy already has 12 of these planes, which were extensively used during Operation Sindoor. During the military stand-off in Eastern Ladakh, the planes were often flying over the Himalayas, keeping an eye on Chinese military movement across the Line of Actual Control.