France Proposes $34 Billion Sale of 114 Rafale Jets to India

The French Republic has submitted a formal government-to-government proposal to sell 114 multi-role combat Rafale aircraft to India in a deal valued at 3.25 trillion rupees, or approximately $34 billion. The Indian Air Force and the acquisition wing of the Ministry of Defence of India are currently reviewing the technical and commercial details of the offer.

Under the terms of the proposal, 94 of the aircraft would be manufactured within India. This requirement mandates that French aerospace and defense firms, including Dassault Aviation SA, MBDA, Safran SA, and Thales SA, identify local Indian partners to facilitate domestic production.

This potential acquisition builds upon previous defense agreements between the two nations. India purchased 36 Rafale jets in 2016 and more recently reached an agreement to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets specifically for the Indian Navy.