Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has commenced a four-day visit to France aimed at advancing the procurement of 114 multirole 4.5-generation fighter jets. This deal, valued at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore (around $39 billion USD), is significant for India's military modernization efforts. The Indian defence ministry has issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to France, marking the formal initiation of the acquisition process. During his visit, Singh is scheduled to meet with senior French military officials and executives from Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale jets, as well as representatives from missile manufacturer MBDA. The LoR was sent last week, and France is expected to respond within two to three months. The final contract is likely to be signed by the end of this year, following further negotiations and approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Notably, a substantial portion of the jets, between 90 and 94, will be produced in India in collaboration with an Indian company, while the rest will be delivered in fly-away condition.