India has finalised a Letter of Request (LoR) for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, with the document expected to be formally dispatched to France in the coming weeks. The programme is expected to become one of the largest defence acquisitions in India’s history and would significantly expand the country’s existing Rafale fleet.

According to the report, the proposed procurement would extend beyond a conventional aircraft purchase, with approximately 90 of the 114 aircraft planned for manufacture in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company. The remaining aircraft would be delivered in fly-away condition.

PROCUREMENT PROCESS MOVES TO NEXT STAGE

The LoR forms part of the government-to-government Intergovernmental Agreement procurement framework. Once France responds with information relating to pricing, availability and logistical support, India is expected to issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP), followed by negotiations between the two governments. Any final agreement would require approval from India’s Cabinet Committee on Security before signature.

The report states that India’s Defence Acquisition Council has already cleared the proposal, with the Rafale programme emerging as the leading option for the Indian Air Force’s requirement for 114 next-generation multirole fighter aircraft.

MAKE IN INDIA COMPONENT CENTRAL TO PROPOSAL

India is reportedly seeking up to 50% indigenous content within the programme, a requirement expected to feature prominently in Dassault Aviation’s formal submission.

India currently operates 36 Rafale fighters, while the Indian Navy is preparing to induct 26 Rafale M aircraft for carrier-based operations. Expanding the fleet is expected to provide operational continuity while reducing logistics, maintenance and training complexity through the use of an established support ecosystem.

The report further notes that the proposed industrial structure aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative as well as France’s broader emphasis on strategic autonomy. Officials reportedly expect future cooperation to extend into areas including combat engine development and additional fighter aircraft production under co-design and co-production arrangements.

LONG-TERM INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP EXPECTED

If concluded, the agreement would represent a significant expansion of defence cooperation between India and France, shifting the relationship towards long-term industrial collaboration centred on joint development and manufacturing capability.