India set to seek 114 additional Rafale fighters in record defence deal with France
New Delhi, June 2. India has moved closer to launching its largest-ever fighter aircraft acquisition programme, finalising a Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the procurement of 114 additional Rafale multi-role combat aircraft in a deal estimated at around ₹3.25 lakh crore ($34.16 billion).
The LoR, which forms the basis of government-to-government negotiations under the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework, is expected to be formally conveyed to the French government in the coming weeks, according to media reports. The move will pave the way for detailed discussions on a programme that is expected to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The development coincides with the three-day visit of Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh to France beginning June 1, a trip that assumes added significance as New Delhi advances plans for the major fighter acquisition.
Under the proposed arrangement, the bulk of the aircraft – around 90 of the 114 jets – are expected to be manufactured in India through a collaboration between Dassault Aviation and an Indian industry partner as part of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Other projections indicate that as many as 92 aircraft could roll out from Indian production lines, while the remaining 22 would be delivered directly from France in fly-away condition.
The programme is expected to incorporate nearly 50 percent indigenous content, providing a substantial boost to India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors. The project is also expected to strengthen domestic supply chains, generate employment and contribute to the country’s broader objective of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production.
The proposed acquisition comes at a time when the IAF is seeking to address declining squadron strength and modernise its fleet amid evolving regional security dynamics. The Rafale, regarded among the most capable multi-role fighters in service today, offers advanced air-to-air, air-to-ground, reconnaissance and strategic strike capabilities.
Once concluded, the deal will not only reinforce the IAF’s operational readiness but also further deepen the strategic defence partnership between India and France. Given its scale, technology transfer components and domestic manufacturing focus, the programme is expected to emerge as one of the most ambitious defence-industrial initiatives undertaken in India.
