India Seeks to Boost Air Power with Massive Rafale Deal with France

India has submitted a Letter of Request to France for acquiring 114 Rafale fighter jets. The deal, worth around Rs 3.25 lakh crore, involves manufacturing 94 jets in India with Dassault Aviation. The agreement, part of accommodating India's strategic needs, is expected to conclude within a year.

In a monumental move, India has officially sent a Letter of Request to France, initiating a mammoth deal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for its air force, with the proposed agreement estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore.

The Defence Ministry confirmed last week that the Acquisition Wing extended the formal request, paving the way for Dassault Aviation to manufacture the majority of these aircraft on Indian soil, in a joint venture with a local firm. France is anticipated to respond within the next couple of months, setting the stage for concluding negotiations ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mid-June visit to France, where the deal will likely be a focal point.

While India addresses its fighter aircraft deficit, this deal aims to augment its aerial capabilities significantly. Currently, orders for 62 Rafale jets are underway, including 31 intended for naval deployments, possibly bringing India's fleet to over 200. Key components of this government-to-government agreement entail a groundbreaking 'Make in India' approach, enhanced transparency, and assured rapid induction of aircraft with a significant portion localized for domestic manufacture.