Overview

• The ₹63,000 crore government-to-government deal includes 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater Rafale Marine jets, along with maintenance, logistics, training, and local manufacturing support.
• The Rafale M jets will be customized for integration into India's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, replacing the underperforming MiG-29K fleet.
• The contract serves as a stopgap solution until the development of an indigenous carrier-borne fighter jet is completed.
• The signing ceremony in New Delhi is attended by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the French Ambassador, with both nations' defence ministers participating remotely.
• This deal raises India's total Rafale fleet to 62 aircraft, complementing the 36 jets already in service with the Indian Air Force.