India has officially signed a landmark Rs 63,000 crore agreement with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The signing ceremony took place on Monday (April 27), during a high-level meeting between senior defence ministry officials and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou in New Delhi. Defence ministers of both countries participated remotely, while Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Ambassador Mathou officiated the event.
This significant defence pact marks another milestone in the growing Indo-French strategic partnership, promising to enhance India's naval aviation capabilities amid a major transition phase for the Indian Navy.
Today, India and France signed a mega Rs 63,000 crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan was present
(Video source: Indian Navy… pic.twitter.com/5W6SdwcuD8— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
Details of the Rafale-M Deal
The purchase of the 26 Rafale-M jets was approved earlier this month by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The procurement will be executed under an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) model, ensuring direct government-to-government collaboration.
Key components of the deal include:
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22 single-seat Rafale-M fighter jets designed for carrier operations.
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4 twin-seat trainer jets, although the twin-seaters are not carrier-capable.
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Comprehensive support package covering weapons, spares, simulators, training support, and related logistic equipment.
Sources reveal that deliveries are scheduled to commence between 2028 and 2029, with full induction expected by 2031-32.
Urgent Need for Modern Naval Fighters
The Indian Navy's requirement for new deck-based fighters has become critical with both INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous INS Vikrant now fully operational. The current fleet of MiG-29K fighters has faced persistent maintenance and serviceability challenges, leading to concerns over operational effectiveness.
The induction of Rafale-Ms will serve as an interim measure as the Navy gradually phases out the aging MiG-29K fleet. These new aircraft will operate from India's two aircraft carriers until the indigenously developed Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) project becomes operational.
Competitive Selection Process
The Rafale-M faced stiff competition from the American Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet during the Indian Navy’s evaluation process. Both aircraft satisfied operational requirements; however, the Rafale-M was ultimately selected for several reasons:
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Logistical and maintenance advantages, due to commonality with the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets.
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Ease of support infrastructure, reducing costs and enhancing operational synergy between naval and air force squadrons.
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Advanced weaponry and electronic warfare systems, enhancing India's maritime strike capabilities.
Strategic Defence Cooperation and "Atmanirbhar Bharat"
The Rafale-M deal is a reflection of the deepening Indo-French defence ties, which emphasize co-production and co-development of military hardware. Although the current agreement does not mandate local manufacturing of the Rafale-M jets, French companies involved in the program—such as Dassault Aviation, Thales, and MBDA—are expected to collaborate with Indian partners to produce components and subsystems domestically. This collaboration supports India’s "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative, aimed at bolstering indigenous defence manufacturing.
Additionally, several government-to-business agreements are anticipated to be signed as part of this broader defence cooperation framework.
Political Context: A Gesture of Solidarity
The Rafale-M deal comes shortly after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 individuals, including 25 Indians, lost their lives. Following the attack, French President Emmanuel Macron personally called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer his condolences and express France’s solidarity with India. This gesture further underscores the close diplomatic and strategic relationship between the two nations.
The Rs 63,000 crore Rafale-M deal is set to significantly boost India's naval aviation capabilities at a critical juncture. As the Indian Navy transitions towards a more modern fleet, the Rafale-M fighters will bridge the gap until indigenous solutions like the TEDBF are realized. Meanwhile, the agreement reinforces India's strategic partnership with France and demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening India's defence forces under the spirit of "Atmanirbhar Bharat."
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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