India clears Rs 63,000 crore deal to acquire 26 Rafale-M jets from France

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The North News

New Delhi, April 9

India has cleared a landmark defence deal with France for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, aimed at enhancing carrier-based operations aboard INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The agreement, valued at more than Rs 63,000 crore (€7bn), is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, according to officials familiar with the matter. The Dassault Aviation-manufactured jets will be deployed aboard India’s two aircraft carriers, the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Under the proposed deal, the Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seat variants and four twin-seat trainers. The package includes long-term fleet maintenance, logistics, crew training, and technology transfers under India’s offset policy, which mandates foreign defence contractors to invest a share of the deal value in domestic industry, according to media reports.

The Rafale Marine jets—adapted for carrier-based operations—will significantly boost India’s maritime strike capability and interoperability with key partners, including France and the United States.

India previously acquired 36 land-based Rafale jets for its Air Force under a €7.87bn deal signed in 2016.