India to buy more Rafale fighter jets. To boost the Indian Air Force, India has finalised the Letter of Request (LoR) for the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter aircraft for the IAF and is expected to send
it to France within the next few weeks, according to an Indian Express report.
The move marks a major step in India’s long-pending plan to strengthen the Air Force fleet and address the shortage in fighter squadrons.
Officials, as quoted by IE, said nearly 90 of the 114 jets would be manufactured in India through a partnership between French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and an Indian firm. The remaining aircraft would arrive in fly-away condition.
What we know about Rafale procurement process?
The LoR is a formal government-to-government document used to begin procurement under the Foreign Military Sales or Intergovernmental Agreement route. It outlines the required capabilities, quantities and technical specifications.
The Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the Rafale proposal three months ago, after which the LoR was prepared.
Once France responds with details regarding pricing, availability and logistical support, India will formally issue the Request for Proposal. After negotiations between the two countries, the Cabinet Committee on Security will need to approve the final deal before the contract is signed.
The government aims to complete the contract by the end of this year.
Air chief to visit France soon
The development comes ahead of Indian Air Force chief A P Singh visiting France early next month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to visit France later in June.
India already operates 36 Rafale fighter jets in the Air Force.
The Indian Navy is also preparing to induct 26 Rafale-M aircraft for aircraft carrier operations over the next few years.
Officials believe expanding the Rafale fleet will help reduce logistical, training and maintenance costs because India already has infrastructure and operational systems in place for the aircraft.
Indigenous integration plans in Rafales
The indigenous content in the new Rafale deal is expected to be close to 50 per cent. India has also been negotiating access to Interface Control Documents for the aircraft. These documents are technical blueprints explaining how onboard aircraft systems communicate with weapons, sensors and other equipment.
India hopes this access will allow the integration of indigenous weapons such as Astra and BrahMos variants onto the jets. However, reports said full access to the aircraft’s source code is unlikely.
Filling IAF squadron gap
The Rafale acquisition is expected to play a major role in addressing the Indian Air Force’s declining squadron strength. The Air Force currently operates 29 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42.
Officials said the Rafales would help bridge the capability gap until India’s indigenous fighter programmes mature.
India’s indigenous fighter projects include the LCA Mk1A, LCA Mk2 and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme. The AMCA is expected to enter service only after 2035.
In the meantime, India is also considering procuring another fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Russia has already shared details of its Su-57 fighter jet with India, although no decision has yet been taken.
Why India is expanding Rafale fleet?
The Rafale is seen as India’s quickest route towards strengthening near-term air power capabilities. Officials believe the aircraft combines rapid induction, combat versatility and strong interoperability.
Because India already operates Rafales, expanding the fleet would reduce pilot conversion time, infrastructure costs and logistical challenges. The fighter jet has also been highlighted by Indian military officials for its role during Operation Sindoor.
Reports said Rafales armed with SCALP-EG cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs carried out deep-strike missions while bypassing Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems.
Military officials reportedly described Rafale jets as the “hero” of Operation Sindoor, saying the aircraft completed key operations within 30 minutes while carrying out precision attacks and electronic warfare missions in Pakistan last year.
