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India has signed a major defense deal with France to buy 26 Rafale M fighter jets for its navy, boosting its air power.
The agreement, worth 63,000 crore Indian rupees, includes both single-seater and two-seater aircraft built by French company Dassault Aviation, as per foreign media.
India’s Ministry of Defense said the deal involves 22 single-seaters, four two-seaters, pilot training, simulators, advanced weapons, and performance-based logistical support.
These Rafale-M jets will operate from Indian Navy aircraft carriers and are set to replace the aging Russian-made MiG-29 fighter planes.
Dassault Aviation stated that India will become the first country after France to operate Rafale Marine jets for naval missions and carrier operations.
The deal also includes additional equipment for the 36 Rafale aircraft already serving in the Indian Air Force since their delivery in earlier years.
According to Indian media, the French company will deliver the Rafale M aircraft to India in stages, between 2028 and 2032, under the agreement.
Defense analysts stated that the new Rafale-M jets will significantly strengthen India’s maritime defense and increase its capability to respond to regional challenges.
The signing comes amid India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military and reduce its dependency on older Russian-origin equipment for frontline defense needs.
Officials said that with better range, weapons load, and advanced radar, the Rafale-M jets would greatly enhance India’s carrier strike group operations.
