Of the 114 aircraft, 94 are expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace major Dassault Aviation and an Indian company | Photo Credit: SHAILENDRA BHOJAK

India has formally issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft in a government-to-government deal estimated at ₹3.25 lakh crore, marking a major step in one of the country’s largest-ever defence acquisitions.

According to Defence Ministry sources, the Acquisition Wing recently sent the request to the French government, initiating the next phase of negotiations for the proposed purchase. Of the 114 aircraft, 94 are expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace major Dassault Aviation and an Indian company, in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The French side is expected to respond within the next two to three months, after which detailed negotiations will begin. Both countries are aiming to conclude the agreement within the coming year.

The proposed acquisition is intended to address the Indian Air Force’s shrinking fighter squadron strength and enhance its operational capabilities with an additional 4.5-generation Rafale aircraft. The programme is also expected to provide a significant boost to India’s domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.

The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to France later this month, where defence cooperation and the Rafale programme are likely to feature prominently in bilateral discussions

Published on June 1, 2026