India has moved closer to acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets from France after the Ministry of Defence sent a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to the French government. The proposed deal, estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore, is among the biggest defence procurement programmes planned by India.
The request marks the start of formal negotiations between the two countries. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh is currently in France to support discussions on the project, which is expected to follow a government-to-government procurement model similar to the earlier purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft.
The new jets are intended to strengthen the Indian Air Force, which faces a shortage of fighter squadrons. The Rafale is a multirole combat aircraft capable of carrying out air defence, ground attack, reconnaissance and strategic strike missions.
The project is also expected to include technology transfer and greater use of indigenous components, providing a boost to India’s defence and aerospace industries.
A key feature of the programme is local manufacturing. Reports suggest that 90 to 96 of the aircraft could be built in India under the government’s “Make in India” initiative through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company. The remaining jets are expected to be supplied directly from France.
With the LoR now submitted, both sides will begin detailed talks on pricing, production plans, technology sharing and delivery schedules. The final agreement could be signed within the current financial year.
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