India and France Finalize ₹63,000 Crore Deal for 26 Rafale-M Jets

April 28, 2025 5:01 PM

India and France have finalized an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets, worth approximately ₹63,000 Crore, on Monday, April 28, 2025. This deal is poised to enhance the Indian Navy’s defense capabilities and further solidify the growing defense ties between the two nations.

Key Details of the Deal

The signing ceremony saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, and the French Ambassador to India, Thoerry Mathou. Alongside the IGA, multiple Government-to-Business agreements were also finalized, highlighting the importance of this strategic collaboration.

Initially, the French Defence Minister was set to visit India for the signing ceremony, but the trip was postponed due to personal reasons. As a result, the agreement was finalized remotely between the two defense ministers.

India’s Growing Naval Aircraft Needs

India currently operates two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya (acquired from Russia) and the indigenous INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022. These carriers use MiG-29K jets, but with aging fleet numbers and service life nearing its end, the Navy sought newer, more advanced aircraft to meet operational demands.

The original plan was to procure 54 jets, with two contenders—Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M and Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. After extensive evaluation, Rafale-M was selected due to its advanced features, leading to the decision to procure 26 jets. This number was further reduced after the Indian Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) proposed the development of an indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), designed with insights from India’s Naval Light Combat Aircraft program.

Rafale-M Jets Equipped with Astra Missile

One of the highlights of the deal is the integration of India’s indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile. This addition will significantly boost the Rafale-M’s combat potential, making it a formidable asset in air defense operations.

The first deliveries are expected to begin in about three and a half years, with the full fleet delivered over the course of six and a half years. The deal includes 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets capable of operating from aircraft carriers, as well as four twin-seat trainer jets, which are not carrier-compatible.

Modifications for Compatibility with Indian Carriers

Indian aircraft carriers use a ski-jump system for launching aircraft and arrestor cables for recovery. Since the lifts on these carriers were originally designed for Russian MiG-29K jets, minor modifications will be necessary to accommodate the Rafale-M, ensuring smooth operations between the hangar and flight deck.

Deepening Indo-French Defense Relations

This new agreement follows the 2016 deal in which India acquired 36 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, valued at ₹60,000 Crore. With this new acquisition, the Indian Navy’s capabilities are significantly strengthened, reflecting India’s commitment to modernizing its defense forces while fostering closer defense cooperation with France.