India and France have finalized a €7 billion agreement for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, bolstering the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and strengthening bilateral defence ties. The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), signed on Monday, also includes provisions for the establishment of a domestic production facility for Rafale fuselage components, as well as maintenance infrastructure.
Under the deal, Dassault Aviation will deliver 22 single-seater Rafale M and four twin-seater Rafale D aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2030. The contract includes comprehensive training, simulators, weapons, associated systems, and five years of Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) support.
Indian naval and air force personnel will undergo training both in India and France. With this addition, India will operate a total of 62 Rafale fighters, including the 36 aircraft previously acquired for the Indian Air Force in 2016.
The agreement was signed by Dinesh Kumar, Joint Secretary for Maritime Systems, and Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, in the presence of senior officials including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and French Ambassador Dr. Thierry Mathou.
In a boost to the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the contract features a Transfer of Technology clause aimed at enabling integration of indigenous weapon systems, such as the ASTRA Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile. An Indian defence partner will lead the integration effort.
The deal also outlines the creation of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for engines, sensors, and weapons, further reinforcing India’s defence industrial ecosystem.
The Rafale M, a carrier-based fighter aircraft, will play a crucial role in supporting India’s twin aircraft carrier strategy. It is expected to replace the Navy’s aging MiG-29K fleet, which has struggled with serviceability and engine reliability.
According to the Defence Ministry, the Rafale M shares significant commonalities with the Indian Air Force variant, allowing for operational synergy and streamlined logistics and training.
Dassault Aviation is expected to present a Rafale M with India-specific enhancements within 18 months. These upgrades will include reinforced landing gear and advanced helmet-mounted displays, among other modifications.
The selection of Rafale Marine was first reported in December 2022. It was chosen over the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet following a rigorous evaluation process, with the Indian Navy becoming the first foreign operator of the Rafale M after France.
Meanwhile, India continues to develop its indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The initial plan for 145 aircraft has been revised to 87, in line with the current requirement for two operational aircraft carriers. The TEDBF will include 14 critical upgrades identified by the Navy, with four already tested and validated using Tejas Navy prototypes.
This acquisition marks a significant step forward in India’s defence modernization and further deepens strategic defence cooperation with France.
