New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- France has responded to a letter of request (LOR) sent by the defence ministry with a techno-commercial offer for 114 Rafale fighter jets to sharpen the Indian Air Force's combat edge, marking the next step in a deal expected to be worth Rs.3.25 lakh crore, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday. The French government submitted its proposal to the defence ministry on July 29, paving the way for negotiations on the government-to-government deal to begin, the officials said. India sent the LOR in May, as HT previously reported. In February, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) - India's apex military procurement body - cleared the purchase of military hardware worth Rs.3.6 lakh crore, including 114 Rafale jets un...