India Seeks to Boost Air Power with Massive Rafale Deal with France
The deal would add 114 jets to India’s fleet, with 94 built locally and the rest supplied from France, officials said.
- India officially sent a Letter of Request to France on Monday to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, with the deal estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
- The Defence Acquisition Council cleared this proposal four months ago to address the IAF's critical fighter squadron shortage, as the force operates with about 29 squadrons against an authorized strength of 42.
- Under the arrangement, Dassault Aviation will partner with a local firm to manufacture 94 aircraft domestically, marking the first time these fighters are produced outside French territory with around 50 per cent localization.
- Air Chief Marshal Singh arrived in France on Monday for a four-day visit, while French officials are expected to respond to the Indian Letter of Request within two to three months.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit France in mid-June, where the deal will likely feature prominently in bilateral discussions; successful induction will bring India's total Rafale fleet to 176.
24 Articles
24 Articles
India heralds Mega Rafale Deal: Writes to France for 114 jets; Impetus for national security & defence indigenisation
As a fundamental fuel to fortify the national security architecture against contemporary geopolitical threats and to simultaneously consolidate the defence indigenisation goal, India has written to France to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircrafts. This is deemed as the biggest defence deal of the decade and is set to redefine the military and strategic lexicon of the country, as it adds immense potential to the Indian airforce by revolutionising i…
India Drops Russian Su-57 Deal, Eyes 114 French Rafale Jets Worth $40 Billion
India plans to acquire 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion, according to sources within the country's Ministry of Defence cited by local media. The proposed agreement would mark one of the largest defense procurement programs in India's history and further strengthen the country's efforts to modernize its air force capabilities. Under the reported terms of the contract, India would assemble 94 of the…
The Indian government has initiated negotiations to purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. The deal, worth ₹3.25 lakh crore, will include 22 jets delivered fully operational. 90 will be manufactured in India.
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