NEW DELHI, June 2 -- The defence ministry has sent a letter of request (LOR) to the French government for buying 114 Rafale fighter jets to sharpen the Indian Air Force's combat edge and hopes to conclude a contract in the financial year 2026-27, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. Negotiations for the government-to-government deal are expected to begin after the French side responds to the Indian request, the officials said, asking not to be named. The LOR, sent out last week, outlines the air force's requirements and the proposed procurement terms. This development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is travelling to France in mid-June for the outreach session of the G7 Summit. The Rafale capability boost is expected to cost a...