In a major step towards strengthening defence cooperation, India and France have finalized a landmark deal for the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The agreement was signed in New Delhi after months of high-level discussions between officials from both nations.
The Rafale-M, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, will replace the Indian Navy’s aging MiG-29K fleet and significantly improve its operational capacity aboard the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who oversaw the signing, said the deal marks a new chapter in Indo-French strategic relations. “This partnership strengthens not just our defence but also our shared vision of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific,” he stated.
Under the agreement, France will provide comprehensive maintenance support, training, and spare parts for the jets. A joint working group will also explore future technology transfers and possible local assembly under the “Make in India” initiative.
Experts say the Rafale-M’s advanced radar, weapons compatibility, and carrier-based design will give the Indian Navy superior air dominance and surveillance capabilities. With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific, the move is seen as a strong signal of India’s commitment to modernizing its naval forces and securing its maritime borders.
The deal is valued at approximately €5.5 billion and follows India’s earlier acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the Air Force, further cementing France’s position as a key defence partner for India.
