India Signs Rs 63,000 Crore Deal With France For 26 Rafale Marine Aircraft
The sealing of the mega deal came three weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement.
India and France signed a Rs 63,000 crore agreement on Monday for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh represented the Indian side at the signing ceremony, with Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan also present.
The deal is part of India’s efforts to strengthen its naval aviation capabilities.
India is procuring the jets from French defence major Dassault Aviation for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Under the terms of reference, the delivery of the jets will have to start around five years after the signing of the contract, according to a PTI report.
The sealing of the mega deal came three weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the procurement.
According to an NDTV report, the signed purchase agreement covers 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater trainers, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2031. Additionally, the deal includes fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing of components under offset obligations.
In July 2023, the Defence Ministry granted initial approval for the mega acquisition following a series of deliberations and evaluation tests of the platform.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighters, and the acquisition of the naval variants will also enhance the IAF's capabilities, including upgrading the 'buddy-buddy' aerial refuelling system—which allows one jet, equipped with a refuelling pod, to act as a fuel tanker for another, which allows the fighters to stay airborne longer.
