The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force is in France as the country prepares to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets. India has completed the Letter of Request for the purchase and plans to send it to France in the coming weeks.
The three-day trip, which started on June 1, coincides with progress on one of the largest fighter aircraft programmes. During the visit, talks are scheduled with Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Rafale, and the missile firm MBDA.
Around 90 of the aircraft are to be built in India through a tie-up between Dassault and a local company, while the rest will arrive ready to fly. Once France replies to the Letter of Request, India intends to issue a formal Request for Proposal.
The Letter of Request serves as official government communication to start defence buys under foreign sales or intergovernmental routes. The Defence Acquisition Council has already cleared the Rafale purchase. After receiving details on cost, supply and support from France, talks will begin. Final clearance must come from the Cabinet Committee on Security before any contract is signed.
The visit is seen as a step to speed up the process while the air force deals with reduced squadron numbers.
