The Defense Ministry has sent a Letter of Request (LOR) to the French government to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets to enhance the combat superiority of the Indian Air Force and hopes to conclude a contract in the financial year 2026-27, officials familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The officials, who requested anonymity, said negotiations on the government-to-government agreement are expected to begin after the French side responds to the Indian request. The LOR, sent last week, outlines the Air Force’s requirements and proposed procurement terms.
This development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to France in mid-June to attend the awareness session of the G7 summit.
The cost of enhancing Rafale’s capability is expected to be approx $3.25 million crores. The next steps before an actual deal is reached include technical discussions, cost negotiations and final approval from the Ministerial Committee for Security.
In February, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), India’s apex military procurement body, approved the purchase of military equipment worth $3.6 lakh crore, including 114 Rafale aircraft, under the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) programme. The Council’s acceptance of the need for new fighters was the first step in the procurement process.
Under the MRFA model being considered, the Rafale aircraft will be manufactured in India by French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation and a local partner. Indian Air Force Chief Marshal AP Singh arrived in France on Monday on a four-day visit aimed at strengthening defense cooperation. On Tuesday, he will visit Dassault Aviation’s Mérignac facility, which houses the final assembly line for the Rafale.
France is expected to supply 20 Rafales in flying condition, while the rest will be manufactured in India. India has held talks with France regarding indigenization of the Rafale aircraft to be manufactured in India, integration of indigenous weapons and other India-specific requirements.
Rapid recruitment of combat aircraft, air-to-air refueling units and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems topped the recommendations made by an empowered committee last year to bolster the IAF’s capability. The Air Force has about 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorized strength of 42.5.
The Israeli Air Force already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets purchased from France $59,000 Crores. Some of the Air Force’s Rafales were among the fighter jets used during Operation Sindoor in early May 2025 – India’s strikes on terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
India also ordered 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France in April 2025 for the Navy, which it will operate from its two aircraft carriers. First deliveries of Rafale-Ms under $The 63,000-crore contract will be concluded in 2029 and completed by 2031.
Dassault Aviation has already set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility near Noida for the Indian Air Force’s Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. The new company, Dassault Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), which was incorporated last year, is already operational.
In June 2025, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced their partnership to build the Rafale fuselage at a facility being set up in Hyderabad; It is a big leap for the government’s wide-ranging ‘Make in India’ initiative – the main body of the future Rafale fighter jets will be produced outside France for the first time, in India.
