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India has moved a step closer to acquiring 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft from France as part of a major effort to rebuild the Indian Air Force’s dwindling fighter strength and modernise its combat fleet.
According to sources, New Delhi has finalised the Letter of Request (LoR) for the proposed deal and is expected to forward it to the French government in the coming weeks. The move signals the formal start of negotiations for what could become one of India’s largest fighter aircraft acquisitions in recent years.
The proposed purchase comes at a time when the IAF is grappling with a steady decline in squadron numbers. The force currently operates around 29 fighter squadrons, against an authorised strength of 42, raising concerns about its ability to manage a potential two-front conflict scenario.
The new Rafale acquisition is intended to plug critical operational gaps until India’s indigenous fighter programmes, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, LCA Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), become available in larger numbers.
Sources indicated that nearly 90 of the 114 aircraft are expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace major Dassault Aviation and an Indian production partner. The remaining jets would be delivered in fly-away condition.
The deal is also expected to include a significant indigenous manufacturing component, with officials estimating local content at close to 50 per cent.
India already operates 36 Rafale fighters inducted under the earlier government-to-government agreement with France. The Indian Navy is separately moving ahead with plans to induct 26 Rafale-M carrier-borne fighters for operations from its aircraft carriers.
Defence officials believe expanding the Rafale fleet would provide operational and logistical advantages by leveraging existing maintenance infrastructure, training systems and supply chains already established for the aircraft in India.
The LoR is a formal government communication used to initiate procurement under the intergovernmental route. It outlines India’s operational requirements, technical specifications and the number of aircraft sought.
Sources said the Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the proposal around three months ago, following which the LoR was prepared.
Once France formally responds with details on pricing, delivery timelines, weapons packages, and logistical support, India is expected to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). It would be followed by commercial and technical negotiations between the two sides before the final proposal is placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval.
The government is aiming to conclude the agreement before the end of the year.
The development comes ahead of Indian Air Force chief A P Singh’s visit to France next month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to travel to France later in June, adding to speculation that defence cooperation could figure prominently during the visit.
Team BharatShakti
