India and France solidified a significant defense partnership on Monday, inking an intergovernmental agreement worth approximately Rs 64,000 crore for the acquisition of 26 naval Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
According to the defense ministry, this landmark pact includes provisions for establishing a Rafale fuselage production plant in India, alongside maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities catering to aircraft engines, sensors, and weaponry.
The agreement will also pave the way for the transfer of technology, enabling the integration of domestically developed weapons onto the aircraft, although specific details were not disclosed. The defense ministry indicated that the delivery of all 26 jets is slated for completion by 2030, with Indian Navy aircrew set to undergo comprehensive training in both France and India.
These Rafale-Marine aircraft, manufactured by French defense giant Dassault Aviation, are specifically designed for carrier operations and have a proven track record in maritime environments. India intends to deploy these jets on its aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, significantly bolstering its naval aviation capabilities.
This major defense deal comes three weeks after it received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The terms of the agreement stipulate that the delivery of the aircraft must commence approximately five years from the contract signing date.
The groundwork for this acquisition was laid in July 2023 when the defense ministry granted initial approval following extensive deliberations and thorough evaluation tests of the aircraft platform. As part of the deal, the Indian Navy will also receive associated equipment, including weapon systems and essential spares, directly from Dassault Aviation.
The defense ministry highlighted the synergy between the Rafale-Marine and the Rafale aircraft currently operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). “Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF,” the ministry stated.
“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,” it further emphasized. The intergovernmental agreement was officially signed by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu. The exchanged documents included the signed agreement, the aircraft package supply protocol, and the weapons package supply protocol, as confirmed by the defense ministry.
