India Sends Letter of Request to France for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets in Mega Defence Push
Deal worth an estimated ₹3.25 lakh crore aims to strengthen the Indian Air Force, with nearly 90 aircraft to be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative.
India has formally initiated the process to procure 114 Rafale multi-role fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking what could become the country’s largest-ever fighter aircraft defence deal. The proposed agreement with France is estimated to be worth nearly ₹3.25 lakh crore.
The Government of India has finalized a Letter of Request (LoR) for the acquisition of the fighter jets from French aerospace company Dassault Aviation through a government-to-government agreement. The request is expected to be formally sent to the French government in the coming weeks.
One of the key highlights of the proposed deal is its emphasis on domestic manufacturing. Under the Make in India initiative, around 90 of the 114 Rafale aircraft are expected to be built in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian public or private sector company. Reports suggest approximately 22 aircraft may be delivered directly from France in fly-away condition.
The deal is aimed at addressing the Indian Air Force’s declining squadron strength and enhancing the country’s aerial combat capabilities. Rafale fighter jets are known for their advanced radar systems, long-range missile capabilities such as Meteor and SCALP, and sophisticated electronic warfare systems.
The development comes as Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh is on an official three-day visit to France, where he is expected to meet senior executives of major defence firms, including Dassault Aviation and missile manufacturer MBDA.
Once France responds to India’s request, the process will move toward pricing negotiations, logistics discussions, and final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the contract is signed.
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