India has formally initiated the process to buy 114 new Rafale fighter jets. The mega defence deal is expected to be worth ₹ 3.25 lakh crore or $39 billion. India has finalised the Letter of Request and is expected to forward it to France in the next few weeks. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is on a four-day visit to France on June 1, 2026. He is expected to hold discussions with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, which makes Rafale, and MBDA, which makes advanced missiles like Meteor and SCALP, during the visit.&nbsp;The procurement bypasses multi-vendor competitions, moving directly through an Intergovernmental Agreement. France is projected to respond with pricing logistics and production timelines within 2 to 3 months. Formal talks will follow with a goal to finalise the contract within a year, as reported by ANI, citing defence ministry sources.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-ipo-fast-track-indexing-explained-1780403655647">What is Fast-Track Indexing? How SpaceX's IPO could force billions into unprofitable AI giant</a>The proposed acquisition forms part of the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, which aims to address the service's declining fighter squadron strength. India has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, but it maintains only 29 squadrons. The proposed deal is likely to fill that deficiency. The deal is structured heavily around domestic aerospace manufacturing. Defence officials have proposed that around 90 to 94 aircraft of the new Rafale fighter jets could be built domestically, while the rest of them would be supplied directly from France. India currently has 36 Rafale fighter jets all of delivered directly from France between 2020 and 2022.The move comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to France in mid-June. It is expected to serve as the definitive platform to formalise this multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal.

India has initiated the process to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France in a ₹3.25 lakh crore ($39 billion) deal aimed at strengthening the Indian Air Force and boosting domestic aerospace manufacturing.

India has formally initiated the process to buy 114 new Rafale fighter jets. The mega defence deal is expected to be worth ₹ 3.25 lakh crore or $39 billion. India has finalised the Letter of Request and is expected to forward it to France in the next few weeks. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is on a four-day visit to France on June 1, 2026. He is expected to hold discussions with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, which makes Rafale, and MBDA, which makes advanced missiles like Meteor and SCALP, during the visit. The procurement bypasses multi-vendor competitions, moving directly through an Intergovernmental Agreement. France is projected to respond with pricing logistics and production timelines within 2 to 3 months. Formal talks will follow with a goal to finalise the contract within a year, as reported by ANI, citing defence ministry sources. Also Read: What is Fast-Track Indexing? How SpaceX's IPO could force billions into unprofitable AI giant The proposed acquisition forms part of the Indian Air Force's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, which aims to address the service's declining fighter squadron strength. India has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, but it maintains only 29 squadrons. The proposed deal is likely to fill that deficiency. The deal is structured heavily around domestic aerospace manufacturing. Defence officials have proposed that around 90 to 94 aircraft of the new Rafale fighter jets could be built domestically, while the rest of them would be supplied directly from France. India currently has 36 Rafale fighter jets all of delivered directly from France between 2020 and 2022. The move comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to France in mid-June. It is expected to serve as the definitive platform to formalise this multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal.

India has initiated the process to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France in a ₹3.25 lakh crore ($39 billion) deal aimed at strengthening the Indian Air Force and boosting domestic aerospace manufacturing.

India moves to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets in ₹3.25 lakh crore mega defence deal with France

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 3.60 lakh crore to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The proposal also includes six P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the United States for the Indian Navy.&nbsp;Out of 114 Rafale fighter jets, 18 will be delivered by Dassault Aviation in fly-away condition from France, while the other 96 jets will be manufactured domestically under the "Make in India" initiative. The deal includes 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat variants of the advanced Rafale F4 standard of the jets.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Indonesia also signed an order for 42 Rafale jets from France in February 2022, led by its Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, with the company Dassault Aviation. The deal was divided into three tranches (6 + 18 +18), taking effect sequentially (February 2022, August 2023, January 2024).&nbsp;Interestingly, the Indonesian government signed a deal for 42 Rafale fighter jets worth $8.1 billion, nearly Rs 68,000 crore, putting the cost of each aircraft at roughly Rs 1,747. In comparison, India's agreement for 114 jets is valued at about Rs 3.25 lakh crore, which is nearly Rs 2,850 crore per jet, around 1.5 times more. Following the deal, which shows a sharp differences has fueled questions over India for paying more than Rs 1000 crore extra for each aircraft.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/epstein-files-probe-ex-prince-andrew-was-arrested-over-alleged-document-leak-1771594157145/embedd<h3>Why are Rafales costlier for India?</h3>If the Rafales' all components are compared between both countries, then the higher price reflects a much broader package. India’s deal includes advanced Meteor and SCALP missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, full-mission simulators, long-term maintenance, spares, and technology transfer. In effect, India is paying for the aircraft’s entire life-cycle, making the overall deal more economical in the long run.&nbsp;This is also not India’s first Rafale purchase. The country earlier inducted 36 jets and later acquired the naval Rafale-M variant. Currently, the Air Force operates 36 Rafales, while the Navy has deployed 26 aircraft on INS Vikrant.&nbsp;Currently, the IAF has 29 fighter squadrons, but its assessed requirement stands at 42 squadrons with each squadron having 16-18 fighter jets. This new deal of Rafales will help India to close this gap and strengthen readiness across different regions.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-wife-amruta-quits-bank-job-after-23-years-1771507722730">Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta quits bank job after 23 years</a>

Along with India, Indonesia signed an order for 42 Rafale jets from France in February 2022, led by its Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, with the company Dassault Aviation. The deal was divided into three tranches (6 + 18 +18), taking effect sequentially (Feb 2022, Aug 2023, Jan 2024).

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 3.60 lakh crore to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The proposal also includes six P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the United States for the Indian Navy. Out of 114 Rafale fighter jets, 18 will be delivered by Dassault Aviation in fly-away condition from France, while the other 96 jets will be manufactured domestically under the "Make in India" initiative. The deal includes 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat variants of the advanced Rafale F4 standard of the jets. Meanwhile, Indonesia also signed an order for 42 Rafale jets from France in February 2022, led by its Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, with the company Dassault Aviation. The deal was divided into three tranches (6 + 18 +18), taking effect sequentially (February 2022, August 2023, January 2024). Interestingly, the Indonesian government signed a deal for 42 Rafale fighter jets worth $8.1 billion, nearly Rs 68,000 crore, putting the cost of each aircraft at roughly Rs 1,747. In comparison, India's agreement for 114 jets is valued at about Rs 3.25 lakh crore, which is nearly Rs 2,850 crore per jet, around 1.5 times more. Following the deal, which shows a sharp differences has fueled questions over India for paying more than Rs 1000 crore extra for each aircraft. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/epstein-files-probe-ex-prince-andrew-was-arrested-over-alleged-document-leak-1771594157145/embedd Why are Rafales costlier for India? If the Rafales' all components are compared between both countries, then the higher price reflects a much broader package. India’s deal includes advanced Meteor and SCALP missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, full-mission simulators, long-term maintenance, spares, and technology transfer. In effect, India is paying for the aircraft’s entire life-cycle, making the overall deal more economical in the long run. This is also not India’s first Rafale purchase. The country earlier inducted 36 jets and later acquired the naval Rafale-M variant. Currently, the Air Force operates 36 Rafales, while the Navy has deployed 26 aircraft on INS Vikrant. Currently, the IAF has 29 fighter squadrons, but its assessed requirement stands at 42 squadrons with each squadron having 16-18 fighter jets. This new deal of Rafales will help India to close this gap and strengthen readiness across different regions. Also read: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta quits bank job after 23 years

Along with India, Indonesia also signed an order for 42 Rafale jets from France in February 2022, led by its Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, with the company Dassault Aviation. The deal was divided into three tranches (6 + 18 +18), taking effect sequentially (Feb 2022, Aug 2023, Jan 2024).

'Same jets, different price': Why India pays more for Rafales while Indonesia pays less - Complete breakdown

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With a view to positioning its most modern fighter jets on both the fronts, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy one each squadron of the Rafale combat aircraft at its airbases in Ambala in Haryana and Hasimara in West Bengal.

"The first Rafale would be handed over to the Indian Air Force in September 2019 but it would be required to undergo intensive 1,500 hours of testing to validate the India Specific Enhancements on it. So, the first batch of the four Rafale fighter planes would arrive at Ambala around May 2020," senior IAF officials said.

Infrastructure for housing both the squadrons has been completed at both the bases.

In September 2016, India signed a deal with the French government and Dassault Aviation to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets for over Euro 7.8 billion to arrest the fall of combat squadrons and meet urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts.

The plan to deploy one squadron of the planes at the Saraswat air base in Uttar Pradesh did not work out due to land acquisition issues.

Ambala base has been housing Jaguar aircraft squadrons mainly looking after the Pakistan front but due to rapid deployment capabilities, the planes can be utilised on both the fronts in case of requirement.

The Hasimara air base in West Bengal is close to the China border and was home to the MiG 27 fighters which are being phased out now.

Once inducted, the Rafales would be the most potent fighters of the Air Force but the mainstay would be the Su-30MKIs-272 which would be in service by the year 2021-22.

The Air Force rates the Rafale much higher than the Su-30MKIs in terms of capabilities and has been making a case for the increased number of Rafale type multirole fighters.&nbsp;

'The first Rafale would be handed over to the Indian Air Force in September 2019', said senior IAF officials.

With a view to positioning its most modern fighter jets on both the fronts, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy one each squadron of the Rafale combat aircraft at its airbases in Ambala in Haryana and Hasimara in West Bengal. "The first Rafale would be handed over to the Indian Air Force in September 2019 but it would be required to undergo intensive 1,500 hours of testing to validate the India Specific Enhancements on it. So, the first batch of the four Rafale fighter planes would arrive at Ambala around May 2020," senior IAF officials said. Infrastructure for housing both the squadrons has been completed at both the bases. In September 2016, India signed a deal with the French government and Dassault Aviation to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets for over Euro 7.8 billion to arrest the fall of combat squadrons and meet urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts. The plan to deploy one squadron of the planes at the Saraswat air base in Uttar Pradesh did not work out due to land acquisition issues. Ambala base has been housing Jaguar aircraft squadrons mainly looking after the Pakistan front but due to rapid deployment capabilities, the planes can be utilised on both the fronts in case of requirement. The Hasimara air base in West Bengal is close to the China border and was home to the MiG 27 fighters which are being phased out now. Once inducted, the Rafales would be the most potent fighters of the Air Force but the mainstay would be the Su-30MKIs-272 which would be in service by the year 2021-22. The Air Force rates the Rafale much higher than the Su-30MKIs in terms of capabilities and has been making a case for the increased number of Rafale type multirole fighters.

Indian Air Force to deploy Rafale jets in Ambala, Hasimara

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India moves to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets in ₹3.25 lakh crore mega defence deal with France

Why India pays more for Rafales while Indonesia pays less - Complete breakdown

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Indian Air Force to deploy Rafale jets in Ambala, Hasimara