France has sent India a detailed proposal regarding its deal with for the the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force under a government-to-government agreement estimated to be valued at Rs 3.25 lakh crore, according to reports.
France's officials submitted a response to India's Letter Of Request for the purchase which it had received in May 2026. The Acquisition Wing of the Defence Ministry is currently examining the document along with the Indian Air Force, according to ANI, which cited Defence sources.
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They will be looking over France's feedback regarding India's demand to integrate Indian weapons like the Astra air-to-air missiles and indigenous components in the aircrafts, as per the deal.
France is expected to make 94 of the 114 aircrafts in India as part of the pact, which is to be undertaken by the partners of the French Dassault Aviation, which includes missile maker MBDA and engine manufacturers Safran and Thales.
The indigenous component in the jets is expected to be nearly 50% with industry giants such as Tata, Larsen & Toubro and other domestic players expected to see opportunities worth Rs 1.6 lakh.
The acquisition is seen as a major boost for the IAF, amid evolving regional security challenges.
The induction of 114 advanced 4.5-generation Rafale fighters is expected to substantially enhance India's air superiority, precision strike capability, and operational readiness across multiple theatres.
India has already ordered 62 Rafale aircraft for the Air Force and Navy.
With the proposed purchase, the total number of Rafales in Indian service would rise to 176, further strengthening the country's deterrence posture.
The Indian Navy has also indicated plans for additional acquisitions, potentially taking the fleet beyond 200 aircraft in the coming years.
The project marks a significant milestone for the government's Make in India initiative, as it would be the first time Rafale fighter jets are manufactured outside France.
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The programme is expected to achieve around 50% localisation while allowing integration of indigenous weapons and systems.
The deal is also expected to feature in discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to France, underlining its strategic importance for India's long-term defence preparedness and self-reliance goals.
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