New Delhi: India and France are poised to finalize a ₹63,000-crore government-to-government (G2G) deal for 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets on Monday, a move expected to significantly boost the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capabilities.

Initially planned for signing during the visit of French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu to New Delhi, the agreement will now be concluded remotely following the postponement of his trip due to personal reasons.

The signing ceremony will involve Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou. The deal was earlier cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), marking a major step forward in India’s defence modernization.

Deployment on INS Vikrant

The order includes 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and 4 twin-seater trainer variants, all designed for carrier-based operations. These aircraft are scheduled to be deployed on the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.

The new acquisition comes as a much-needed replacement for the ageing MiG-29K fleet, which has faced consistent maintenance and performance issues. The Rafale-M will serve as an interim solution until India’s homegrown Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is ready for operational use.

Enhancing Naval Reach

Built specifically for naval missions, the Rafale-M features a reinforced landing gear and is compatible with STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) systems used on Indian aircraft carriers. These enhancements allow for effective operations at sea, significantly extending the Navy’s reach and power projection in the Indian Ocean Region.

This strategic procurement not only strengthens India’s naval aviation but also deepens defence cooperation between India and France.