India, France sign ₹64,000-crore deal to procure 26 Rafale jets for Navy

India and France on Monday signed an inter-governmental agreement to procure 26 Rafale (Marine) fighter jets for the Indian Navy under a ₹64,000-crore deal.

The agreement covers the supply of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft, along with associated weapons, simulators, training equipment and performance-based logistics support.

The pact, finalised three weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement, also includes additional equipment for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was present at the signing ceremony at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi.

The agreement includes transfer of technology for integration of indigenous weapons, establishment of a Rafale fuselage production facility, and setting up maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines, sensors and weapons in India, according to an official readout.

The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and create business opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the defence manufacturing sector under the government’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a combat-proven, carrier-borne aircraft with advanced operational capabilities in maritime environments.

Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to begin by 2030, with crew training to be conducted in both France and India.

The defence ministry said the Rafale-Marine jets share commonality with the Rafale aircraft already in service with the Indian Air Force, which is expected to optimise training and logistics chains and substantially enhance joint operational capabilities.

"The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea," it added.

The Indian Navy will also receive associated ancillary equipment, including weapon systems and spares, from Dassault Aviation as part of the comprehensive procurement package.

The defence ministry had granted initial approval for the acquisition in July 2023 after a series of deliberations and evaluation trials of the platform, culminating in the signing of the landmark agreement on Monday.