New Delhi: India and France are poised to sign their largest-ever defence agreement on April 28, 2025, with the Indian Navy set to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets. This landmark deal, worth approximately ₹63,000 crore ($7.5 billion), represents a significant enhancement of India’s naval air capabilities and further strengthens the strategic partnership between the two nations.
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will arrive in India on April 27 for the signing ceremony, which is scheduled to take place outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block, New Delhi.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets on April 9, 2025. This government-to-government agreement includes 22 single-seater carrier-capable jets and four twin-seater trainer variants. The trainer aircraft, while not designed for aircraft carrier operations, are essential for advanced pilot training programs.
The comprehensive package extends beyond just the aircraft procurement. It includes fleet maintenance infrastructure, logistical support systems, personnel training programs, and provisions for indigenous manufacturing of select components. This aligns with India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to boost domestic defence production capabilities.
According to defence sources, deliveries are expected to begin approximately three and a half years after the contract signing and should conclude by 2031. The agreement also encompasses the creation of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub in India and the integration of indigenous Astra missiles.
The Rafale-M is the naval variant of the 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jet developed by French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation. These aircraft will operate from India’s aircraft carriers, including INS Vikrant—India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier commissioned in September 2022—complementing the existing fleet of MiG-29K fighters.
The Rafale-M has a proven combat record, having served the French Navy (Aéronavale) since 2000 and participating in operations in Afghanistan and against the Islamic State. As a multi-role fighter, it is capable of executing air superiority, ground attack, anti-ship, and reconnaissance missions.
These naval fighters are specifically designed for the challenging environment of aircraft carrier operations, featuring reinforced landing gear, a strengthened airframe, and a tail hook for arrested landings. The aircraft can super-cruise at speeds above Mach 1 without using afterburners, making it more fuel-efficient during extended maritime patrol missions.
