A French Navy Rafale (Marine). (Photo: French Navy)
New Delhi: India and France on Monday signed an inter-governmental agreement worth ₹63,000 crore (approximately $7.4 billion) to procure 26 Rafale (Marine) fighter jets, marking a significant upgrade to the Indian Navy’s carrier-based aviation capabilities. The deal, finalized at a virtual ceremony attended by the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and French officials, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft optimized for operations from aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, approved the procurement on April 9, as India Sentinels had reported, following a multi-year evaluation process that pitted the Rafale (M) against Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. The French jet was selected for its compatibility with India’s existing Rafale fleet and advanced maritime operational features, including reinforced landing gear and compatibility with ski-jump carriers.
The defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and the Navy’s vice-chief, Vice Admiral K Swaminathan, represented India at the signing, while the French ambassador finalized the pact on behalf of Paris. The agreement includes weapons packages, performance-based logistics, simulator training, and technology transfers for integrating indigenous systems such as the Astra BVR missiles and Rudram anti-radiation missiles.
Deliveries are scheduled to commence by late 2029, with the entire fleet operational by 2031. The deal mandates French manufacturers Dassault Aviation, Thales, and MBDA to collaborate with Indian partners under offset obligations, including establishing a fuselage production facility and MRO hubs for engines and sensors. The defence ministry emphasized that the partnership would generate thousands of jobs and bolster India’s self-reliance goals in defence production.
The Rafale (M)’s advanced avionics, Spectra electronic warfare suite, and compatibility with missiles like the Meteor and Scalp will significantly enhance the Navy’s power projection in the Indo-Pacific. The jets will replace the ageing Russian MiG-29K fleet, which has faced maintenance challenges, and operate alongside them on INS Vikrant during the transition.
The agreement underscores deepening India-France defence ties, building on the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force. France becomes the first country to export the naval variant of the Rafale, with Dassault highlighting the Navy’s ability to leverage the French Navy’s operational expertise.
The signing proceeded virtually after the French defence minister, Sebastien Lecornu, postponed his visit to New Delhi due to health reasons. Officials confirmed that the pact adheres to the government-to-government framework, ensuring streamlined procurement without middlemen.
With this acquisition, India’s Rafale fleet will expand to 62 aircraft, strengthening its position as a key operator of 4.5-generation fighters. The Navy’s enhanced airpower is expected to play a pivotal role in countering regional threats and securing critical sea lanes, aligning with New Delhi’s vision of becoming a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region.
The deal also sets the stage for future collaborations, including potential joint development of next-generation combat systems, as India continues to modernize its armed forces amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
