New Delhi, Feb. 5 -- Ahead of the visit by French President Emmanuel Macron in the third week of February, the Defence Ministry of India is likely to discuss the Rs 3.25 lakh crore proposal to buy 114 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Air Force proposal was given the initial nod by the Defence Procurement Board last month.

"The proposal is likely to be taken up for discussion next week at a high-level meeting of the defence ministry and is seen as critical for meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force in view of the present security scenario in the region," defence sources told ANI.

The Indian Air Force is currently operating only around 30 fighter aircraft squadrons, whereas its sanctioned ...