India has moved a step closer towards one of its largest-ever defence acquisitions after finalising the Letter of Request (LoR) for the procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
According to sources, the LoR is expected to be sent to France within the next few weeks, formally initiating the next phase of negotiations under the government-to-government procurement framework.
Under the proposed deal, nearly 90 of the 114 Rafale jets are planned to be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian defence manufacturing partner. The remaining aircraft are expected to be delivered in fly-away condition.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has already cleared the proposal for the Indian Air Force, paving the way for formal negotiations once France responds with pricing, availability, technology transfer, and logistical support details.
Officials stated that the final agreement will eventually require approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighter aircraft, while the Indian Navy is also preparing to induct 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for carrier-based operations.
Defence officials believe that expanding the Rafale fleet would significantly reduce maintenance, logistics, and training costs due to the already established operational ecosystem within the Indian military.
New Delhi has also reportedly pushed for a larger role for Indian companies in the Rafale production chain, seeking up to 50 percent indigenous content under the broader vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The proposed deal is increasingly being viewed not merely as a fighter aircraft purchase, but as part of a broader India-France strategic industrial partnership involving co-design, co-development, and co-production in defence manufacturing.
Officials indicated that future India-France collaborations may also include advanced combat engine development, aerospace technologies, and expanded defence industrial cooperation.
If finalised, the Rafale acquisition would rank among India’s biggest military procurements and further strengthen the growing strategic partnership between India and France in the Indo-Pacific and defence sectors.
