India, France sign ₹63,000 cr deal for 26 Rafale-Marine jets to boost naval power

India and France have finalised a landmark defence agreement for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, including 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat, at a cost of around ₹63,000 crore for the Indian Navy.

The deal will significantly enhance the country's maritime combat capabilities. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. The mega deal aligns with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, as it will involve significant local manufacturing and maintenance components.

Signed on April 28, 2025, the deal also includes weapons, training systems, simulators, and performance-based logistics support. The government release didn't specify the total deal value, but media reports suggest it to be around ₹63,000 crore ($7.5 billion).

The agreement also includes the transfer of technology for the integration of Indian-made weapons, the establishment of local production facilities for Rafale fuselage, and the creation of MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) hubs for engines and sensors.

The deal is an extension of the earlier pact between India and France, which was signed in September 2016. India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France-based defence major Dassault Aviation for around €7.8 billion.

The new deal also has commonality with the existing IAF Rafale fleet for joint operations, and is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities, says the ministry.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement in New Delhi. The Rafale-Marine, also manufactured by Dassault Aviation, is a proven carrier-borne fighter with excellent maritime operational capabilities.

"Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by the IAF. Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both the Indian Navy and the IAF. The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea," a statement by the Ministry of Defence says.