Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: India and France on Monday finalized a major defence agreement under which India will procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets from French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, at an estimated cost of ₹63,000 crore. These jets will be deployed aboard India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to strengthen naval air capabilities.
Key Details of the Deal
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently cleared the government-to-government deal involving:
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22 single-seat Rafale M fighters
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4 twin-seat trainer variants
The agreement includes the procurement of weapons, simulators, spares, crew training, and logistics support.
Background and Strategic Importance
The Rafale M is a multirole fighter jet tailored for aircraft carrier operations, known for its:
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High survivability in corrosive marine environments
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Compatibility with 40,000-tonne class carriers
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Deployment on the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier
Given the Indian Navy’s urgent need for deck-based fighters, this procurement serves as an interim measure until India’s indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) project matures.
Past Developments
In July 2023, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the navy’s proposal for acquiring these Rafale M fighters. The decision is aimed at boosting India’s maritime strength amid rising Indo-Pacific tensions.
India’s Growing Defence Partnership With France
This deal marks another milestone in the strengthening of India-France strategic ties, especially in the defence sector. It follows India’s previous acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force, delivered under an earlier bilateral agreement.
