India inks Rs 63,000 crore Rafale deal with France in major defence boost
PTC News Desk: India and France have formally signed Rs 63000 crore defence deal for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft. The deal was inked at the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block in the national capital, the Indian Navy said.
The agreement was signed in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan and the signing ceremony was presided over by the French Ambassador to India at Nausena Bhawan in Delhi.
Today, India and France signed a mega Rs 63,000 crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan was present
(Video source: Indian Navy… pic.twitter.com/5W6SdwcuD8 — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
The Cabinet Committee on Security had cleared the deal earlier this month.
The government-to-government contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale M jets, customised for Indian requirements and carrier integration. These carrier-borne fighters are being acquired as a stopgap solution until the development of India's own carrier-borne fighter jet is completed. The contract also encompasses a comprehensive package for maintenance, logistics, training, and indigenous component manufacturing.
The Rafale M jets will operate from INS Vikrant and support the existing MiG-29K fleet. The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at Ambala and Hasimara. The new deal will raise the total number of Rafale jets in India to 62, significantly boosting the country's fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
- With inputs from agencies
