Overview

• India and France signed an inter-governmental agreement to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for ₹64,000 crore, including 22 single-seaters and four twin-seaters.
• The deal encompasses training, simulators, weapons, logistical support, and technology transfer for indigenous manufacturing under India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• The jets will be deployed on India's aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, bolstering maritime security and replacing the underperforming MiG-29K fleet.
• Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029 and conclude by 2031, with integration into India's naval operations already in the planning phase.
• This acquisition deepens India-France defence ties and serves as an interim measure until India's indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter is operational.