India and France Sign Rs 63,000 Crore Deal for 26 Rafale Marine Aircraft

India and France have concluded a historic Rs 63,000 crore deal for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy. The agreement was signed on Monday with India being represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Navy Vice Admiral K Swaminathan. The new acquisition takes place in light of growing tensions between India and Pakistan and is seen to give a big boost toIndia's maritime air capabilities.

The Strategic Deal and Its Implications

Cleared by the Prime Minister Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month, the agreement will see the Indian Navy receive 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets and four twin-seat trainers. These jets will primarily operate from the deck of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, strengthening India’s naval aviation capabilities. The deal also includes essential weapons, simulators, crew training, and a five-year performance-based logistics support package.

The 26 Rafale-M jets are designed to carry out the maritime strike, air defence, and reconnaissance missions. With deliveries expected to be completed between 37 to 65 months, India will make an initial 15% installment towards the total cost of the deal.

#WATCH | Delhi | The Intergovernmental agreement was exchanged between the two sides in the presence of Defence Secretary RK Singh and Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan.

(Source: Indian Navy) https://t.co/6Z4UhJ4ypY pic.twitter.com/R3Z0o9RAuA

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025

Capabilities of the Rafale-M Jets

These omni-role 4.5-generation Rafale jets are equipped with advanced capabilities, including the ability to carry nuclear weapons. In addition to the 70-km range Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, the jets will be armed with long-range precision strike weapons, similar to the IAF’s variant of the Rafale. These include the over 300-km range of 'Scalp' air-to-ground cruise missiles and the top-of-the-line Meteor air-to-air missiles, with a strike range of 120 to 150 km to take on enemy jets.

"The new IGA mirrors the one inked in the IAF deal. All the 26 jets are to be delivered by 2031," an official media source said.

Why the Rafale-M Was Chosen

The Rafale-M came out on top in a competitive trial process organised by the Navy in 2022. It beat the American F/A-18 Super Hornet, mainly because of its logistical benefits and performance during trials. The French fighter has been given a head start on commonality of spares and maintenance, after the Indian Air Force inducted 36 Rafale jets, making it easy to integrate into the Navy's already existing infrastructure.

A Necessary Upgrade Amidst Existing Challenges

The Indian Navy utilises 40 MiG-29K aircraft out of its total delivery of 45 jets at an expense of $2 billion from Russia during 2009 to present. The Navy uses these fighter planes to operate from both aircraft carriers including the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya as well as the domestically constructed INS Vikrant. The MiG-29K aircraft have been hampered by severe problems together with diminished operational readiness throughout their flight program.

With the native twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF) likely to be operational at least a decade later, the Navy urged the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets as a stopgap arrangement. The strategic decision ensures that India has a strong naval aviation capability despite changing regional security threats.

The deal signifies rising defence cooperation between India and France together with the expanding significance of advanced fighter aircraft in current naval warfare systems. The Rafale-M acquisition establishes a new capacity for India to project military power in both the Indian Ocean and distant territories.