India and France have today signed a historic $7.5 billion agreement for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets, marking the largest defense deal between the two nations.
The intergovernmental agreement was signed by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The order includes 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat Rafale-M aircraft, accompanied by a weapons package, simulators, and comprehensive training programs.
Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2030, significantly enhancing India’s naval aviation capabilities.
“This procurement will strengthen India’s naval power and joint operations with the Air Force,” stated the Indian Ministry of Defence, underlining the strategic importance of the agreement.
The Rafale-Ms are set to replace the aging MiG-29K fighters aboard India’s two aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. With this move, India becomes the first international operator of the Rafale-M outside France, following a selection process concluded in July 2023.
Key Aspects of the Agreement:
- Technology transfer for integrating Indian-made weapons systems.
- Local manufacturing of fuselage components within India.
- Establishment of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities to support the fleet.
- Alignment with India’s #AatmanirbharBharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, promoting domestic defense capabilities.
French Minister Sébastien Lecornu welcomed the signing, stating:
“The procurement confirms the satisfaction of Indian authorities with the aircraft’s capabilities and their intent to broaden its operational scope.”
Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale, emphasized its commitment to supporting the modernization of India’s armed forces. CEO Éric Trappier noted that the agreement “honors Dassault Aviation’s dedication” to India.
