The North News

New Delhi, April 28

India and France have sealed a monumental deal worth Rs 63,000 crore for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The contract was formally signed on Monday, with India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Admiral K Swaminathan, Vice Chief of the Indian Navy, representing the Indian side. This deal, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 9, 2025, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets.

The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu, covers the acquisition of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale-Marine aircraft, along with associated equipment, weapons, simulators, and performance-based logistics support. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Signed at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi today, the agreement also reflects India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) push, with provisions for the transfer of technology to enable the integration of indigenous weapons. It includes plans to establish production facilities for Rafale fuselages and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hubs for engines, sensors, and weapons, potentially generating thousands of jobs and new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-based multirole fighter with a proven track record in maritime operations. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2030, with Indian crews set to undergo training both in France and domestically.

The Indian Navy’s acquisition of Rafale-Marine jets — sharing commonality with the IAF’s Rafale fleet — is expected to substantially enhance joint operational capabilities, streamline training and logistics, and act as a force multiplier for the country’s aircraft carriers.