India Sends 'Letter of Request' to France for 114 Rafale Fighter Aircraft; Awaiting Response

New Delhi: India has issued a 'Letter of Request' to France for a deal worth approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This 'Letter of Request' was issued to French government officials last week by the 'Acquisition Wing' of the Ministry of Defence. Under this deal, 94 of the Rafale aircraft will be manufactured within India by the French manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, in partnership with an Indian company.

Likelihood of Finalizing the Deal?

Citing sources within the Ministry of Defence, news agency ANI reported that the French side is expected to respond to the Indian request letter—or tender—within the next two to three months. Furthermore, there is a strong possibility that both sides will complete negotiations and finalize the deal within the next year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit France around mid-June, and the Rafale deal is likely to be a topic of discussion during his meetings with the French leadership.

How Many Rafale Aircraft Already Ordered?

India is currently facing a critical shortage of fighter aircraft squadrons in its fleet; to address this deficit, the country is actively seeking to induct a large number of advanced 4.5-generation-plus Rafale aircraft. While the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy have already placed orders for 62 Rafale aircraft, an additional order for 114 jets would bring the total count to 176.

The Indian Navy has also already expressed its intent to induct another 31 of these aircraft to counter maritime threats, a move that could potentially push the total number of Rafale aircraft in the country to over 200. Shortly after Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh assumed office in 2024, the Ministry of Defence conducted a comprehensive study under his leadership aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Indian Air Force; the Ministry is now working with complete focus in this very direction.

How Many Rafale Aircraft Will Be Indigenous?

The Defence Acquisition Council had approved the proposal to procure 114 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force more than four months ago. The Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, is currently in France and is expected to visit the Dassault Aviation facilities where these fighter jets are manufactured. Under this deal, it will mark the first time that Rafale aircraft are manufactured outside of France, incorporating an indigenous content of approximately 50 percent.