India has inked a defence deal with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy, with an estimated cost of ₹63,000 crore. The two nations reached an agreement on Monday, marking another step forward in their strengthening strategic ties. Dassault Aviation, a leading French aerospace company, will supply the aircraft.
The Rafale fighters, particularly the naval variants, would be stationed on India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, greatly increasing its operational capabilities. Out of the 26 aircraft, 22 will be single-seat Rafale M fighters, with four serving as twin-seat trainers.
This contract was approved earlier this month by the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The acquisition is viewed as a stopgap measure to meet the Navy’s immediate requirements until India successfully develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft.
The acquisition package comprises a full array of weapons, simulators, spares, crew training, logistics support, and supplementary equipment.
In July 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the Navy’s plan to purchase these jets.
