New Delhi: To enhance the strength of the Indian Air Force, India is set to sign several major contracts in the financial year 2026-27, including the deal to procure 114 aircraft. rafale fighter planeThe Defense Ministry has told a parliamentary panel that 60 medium transport aircraft (MTAs) and additional airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems are involved.“The capital budget of the IAF has increased by 37.03% compared to the Budget Estimates for 2025-26. The allocated funds are planned to be used for some major new schemes such as multi-role combat aircraft (a reference to the proposed Rafale deal), combat enablers (AEW&C, Tejas MK1A), medium transport aircraft (MTA) and medium-altitude long-endurance RPA (remotely piloted aircraft). Ongoing Committed liabilities,” the ministry told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, which presented its latest report in the Lok Sabha last week.In February this year, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the purchase of 114 Rafale jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme; The proposed deal for jets along with military hardware is expected to cost around Rs 3.25 lakh crore. Under the MRFA model, the new Rafales will be built in India by French company Dassault Aviation in collaboration with an Indian partner. “Keeping in mind the modernization of the armed forces, especially in the current geopolitical scenario, the Committee urges the Air Force to beneficially utilize the funds allocated for modernization and technological upgradation in armament and procurement of other critical platforms,” the report said.The Defense Acquisition Board has recently approved a plan to procure 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTAs) for the Indian Air Force, at an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. The program aims to replace the aging An-32 fleet, requiring 12 aircraft to be in flying condition and 48 to be manufactured locally. Top contenders include the Embraer C-390 Millennium, Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and European Airbus Defense and Space with its A-400M.The ministry informed the committee, “Critical combat enablers such as AEWACs, flight refuelers and specialized electronic intelligence and surveillance platforms are critical… These systems not only enhance our intelligence gathering and battlefield transmission but also provide commanders with information on the electronic sequence of modern warfare. All these combat intelligence systems are highly effective platforms to enhance the combat capability of the three services.”The Committee was also informed that the Indian Air Force is committed to self-reliance and is providing full support to the national objectives. “To promote innovation and indigenization, the IAF has created a new directorate, namely Aerospace Design Directorate (DAD). This directorate actively interacts with industries, R&D institutes and academia to explore specific technologies in the aerospace domain and convert them into tactical and strategic war fighting solutions using indigenous resources,” the report said.