India and France are poised to finalise their largest-ever defence agreement later this month, with the Indian Navy set to acquire 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation.
The deal, reportedly worth ₹63,000 crore (approximately $7.5 billion), is expected to be signed on April 28 in New Delhi, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media..
French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to arrive in the Indian capital on the evening of April 27 and will be present at the signing ceremony, which will take place outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block. He is expected to depart late the following day.
The acquisition—approved by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security on April 9 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—marks a significant milestone in the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. It comes under a government-to-government framework, ensuring streamlined negotiations and timely delivery.
The contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine aircraft, alongside a comprehensive support package. This package covers fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and provisions for indigenous manufacturing of select components, aligning with India’s "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.
The Rafale Marine jets are specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations and will be deployed on board INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier. They will bolster the Navy’s existing air wing, currently composed of MiG-29K fighters.
India had earlier approved the procurement of the 26 Rafale-Ms in July 2023. At the same time, the Defence Ministry also cleared the acquisition of three additional Scorpène-class submarines from France, further reinforcing underwater capabilities.
The Indian Air Force, which already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired through a 2016 agreement, is closely watching developments. The IAF Rafales operate from Ambala and Hashimara airbases and have become a key part of India’s air power. With the addition of the 26 naval variants, India’s total Rafale fleet will rise to 62.
The Air Force is also preparing to issue a new tender for multirole fighter aircraft, as it seeks to expand and modernize its fleet. Sources indicate that the IAF has expressed a preference for a specific aircraft to meet its immediate operational needs, although no formal announcement has been made.
By Khagan Isayev
Source: caliber.az
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