Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is visiting France amid India’s push to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets. India has finalised the Letter of Request (LoR) for the procurement and is expected to forward it to France within the next few weeks.
The Air Chief’s three-day visit, beginning June 1, comes as India advances plans for one of its largest fighter aircraft acquisition programmes.
During the visit, he is expected to hold discussions with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jet, and missile systems company MBDA.
Of the 114 aircraft, nearly 90 are planned to be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian firm, while the remaining jets will be delivered in fly-away condition.
Sources said that once France responds to the LoR, India will move ahead with issuing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for the deal.
The LoR is a formal government-to-government communication used to initiate defence procurement under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has already approved the procurement of Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The LoR will now be sent to France. Once Paris responds with details on pricing, availability and logistical support, negotiations between the two sides will begin.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will have to grant final approval before the contract can be signed.
The visit by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is expected to accelerate the Rafale acquisition process at a time when the Indian Air Force is grappling with depleted fighter squadron strength.
– Ends
Published By:
Sayan Ganguly
Published On:
Jun 1, 2026 15:08 IST
