NEW DELHI – The Indian Air Force on Friday began the process of buyingaround 110 fighter jets, which could be worth more than $15 billion, inwhat will be, once it is closed, one of the biggest defence deals in recentyears.

IAF published a Request for Information on its website on Friday seekingsupply of single- and twin-seat jets to be mostly manufactured locallyunder the Modi government’s flagship Make in India scheme.

The fact that a RFI was imminent was first reported by Hindustan Timeswhich said in a report on March 12 that one would be issued within themonth.

According to the RFI, around 75% of the aircraft will be single-seat ones.IAF intends to use the aircraft as day and night -capable, all-weather,multi-role combat aircraft. The RFI is likely to evoke interest from mostmajor aircraft makers, including Saab, Lockheed Martin, and DassaultAviation.

According to the RFI, 15% of the aircraft will be bought in a flyawaystate, and the rest will have to be made locally.

The RFI is the first step towards finding a new warplane for the air forceand global manufacturers have to respond to it by July 6, with operationalfeatures and technical parameters of their platforms.

That done, the air force will make a case for getting the ministry’sso-called acceptance of necessity (AoN) – a stamp of approval to pursue amilitary purchase programme.