India finalizes Rs 63,000 crore agreement for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, marking the largest defense procurement between the two nations
In a significant boost to India’s maritime defense capabilities, the Indian government has finalized a historic deal with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. The agreement, valued at approximately Rs 63,000 crore (about €6.6 billion), was formally signed today, April 28, 2025, after receiving approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) earlier this month.
The procurement includes 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater variants of the Rafale Marine, specially designed for carrier-based operations. These advanced fighter jets will primarily be deployed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, substantially enhancing the Indian Navy’s combat readiness in the Indian Ocean region.
Today, India and France signed a mega Rs 63,000 crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan was present
(Video source: Indian Navy… pic.twitter.com/5W6SdwcuD8
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
Remote Signing and Implementation Timeline
Today’s signing ceremony took a unique format, being conducted remotely due to personal reasons that prevented French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu from attending in person. French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh presided over the ceremony at Nausena Bhawan in Delhi, marking the official commencement of this landmark agreement.
According to the established timeline, deliveries of the Rafale Marine jets are scheduled to begin in 2029, with complete fleet induction expected by 2031. This 37-65 month implementation period will allow for necessary preparations and training to integrate these advanced aircraft into India’s naval operations.
Comprehensive Package Beyond Aircraft
The deal extends well beyond the mere acquisition of fighter jets, encompassing a comprehensive support package that includes:
– Fleet maintenance and logistical support systems
– Extensive personnel training programs
– Indigenous manufacturing components under offset obligations
– Five years of performance-based logistics support
– Spare parts for the 36 Rafale jets already in service with the Indian Air Force
This holistic approach ensures long-term operational readiness while aligning with India’s strategic push for greater self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Strategic Implications for Regional Security
The Rafale Marine jets come equipped with advanced weaponry including Meteor air-to-air missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles, and SCALP precision-guided munitions. This arsenal significantly enhances India’s ability to counter emerging threats in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in response to China’s expanding naval presence.
Defense analysts view this acquisition as complementary to India’s existing fleet of Russian-origin MiG-29K jets, creating a more diversified and capable naval aviation wing. The commonality with the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet offers additional advantages in streamlined logistics, training programs, and enhanced interoperability between services.
Bridging Gap to Indigenous Development
While representing a major enhancement to current capabilities, the Rafale Marine acquisition is positioned as an interim arrangement until India develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighters. The country continues to work on indigenous projects including the naval variant of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), underscoring its long-term commitment to self-sufficiency in defense technology.
The deal reflects India’s pragmatic approach to defense modernization—addressing immediate capability gaps while simultaneously investing in domestic research and development for future generations of military hardware.
Deepening Indo-French Strategic Partnership
This agreement, marking the largest-ever defense deal between India and France, further cements the strategic partnership between the two nations. Following the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force, this second major procurement establishes France as a key defense partner for India.
The government-to-government (G-to-G) format of the deal reflects the high level of trust and cooperation between Paris and New Delhi, potentially opening doors for further collaboration in military technology and joint development projects.
As India continues to modernize its armed forces and assert its position as a regional power, this landmark acquisition represents a significant step forward in enhancing the country’s maritime security architecture while fostering important international defense relationships.
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