VOI World/ Desk
France has responded to India’s Letter of Request (LoR) with a techno-commercial offer for the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, marking a major step forward in one of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) largest planned defence procurements.
The deal, estimated to be worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore, aims to strengthen the IAF’s combat capabilities while addressing its declining fighter squadron strength. The Indian Ministry of Defence had sent the Letter of Request to the French government in May, seeking proposals under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.
According to officials, the French government submitted its response on July 29, paving the way for detailed negotiations between the two sides. Earlier this year, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 114 fighter jets under the MRFA programme as part of a broader effort to modernise the IAF.
Under the proposed arrangement, French aerospace company Dassault Aviation is expected to manufacture 20 aircraft in fly-away condition, while the remaining 94 jets would be produced in India with an Indian industry partner. The plan also includes greater localisation, integration of Indian weapons and systems, and technology transfer to support the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The procurement is intended to bridge the gap between the IAF’s current strength of around 30 fighter squadrons and its authorised strength of 42.5 squadrons. Faster induction of fighter aircraft, along with force multipliers such as aerial refuellers and airborne early warning systems, has been identified as a priority for enhancing India’s air power.
India currently operates 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from France under an earlier government-to-government agreement. The aircraft played a key operational role during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Separately, India signed a contract earlier this year to procure 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029.
