India has formally sent a Letter of Request (LoR) to France for a government-to-government purchase of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, in a deal valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, ANI reported citing Defence Ministry sources. The ministry’s Acquisition Wing submitted the request last week.
Under the proposal, 94 of the 114 Rafales would be manufactured in India by Dassault Aviation in partnership with an Indian company, reflecting an emphasis on local production and industrial participation. The French government is expected to respond within two to three months, after which formal negotiations are likely to proceed.
The timing comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to France in mid-June, where the Rafale programme is expected to be a topic of discussion with French leaders. The acquisition aims to help close the Indian Air Force’s squadron shortfall and strengthen combat capability by adding more 4.5‑generation Rafale aircraft.