India and France are set to sign a historic defence agreement today (April 28) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine (M) combat aircraft, valued at Rs 63,000 crore. The deal, which will bolster India’s naval aviation capabilities, will be signed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on behalf of India, with the French Ambassador to India representing France. Both countries’ Defence Ministers are expected to attend the signing ceremony remotely.
The agreement, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month, is aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of India’s aircraft carriers, particularly INS Vikrant. The new Rafale M aircraft will replace the underperforming MiG-29K fighters that have faced maintenance issues, ensuring that India’s naval fleet maintains a high level of combat effectiveness.
The 26 Rafale M aircraft, which will be customized to meet the specific needs of the Indian Navy, include 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater variants. The deal also covers essential components such as fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and the manufacture of indigenous parts. These fighter jets will serve as a stopgap measure until the development of an indigenous carrier-borne fighter jet is completed.
This deal further strengthens the existing relationship between India and France in defence cooperation, following the 2016 agreement for 36 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. With the addition of these 26 aircraft, India’s fleet of Rafale jets will rise to 62, significantly enhancing its naval and air force capabilities.