India and France signed an agreement to supply 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets to the Indian Navy on Monday. India will get 22 single-seat and four two-seat aircraft by 2030.
French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and Indian Deputy Defence Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh represented their countries at the signing ceremony. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu took part in the ceremony virtually.
Indian authorities in early April approved a deal under which the Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seat and four two-seat Rafale Marine aircraft, as well as a comprehensive package of fleet maintenance, logistics support, personnel training and production of domestic components in India.
The Rafale Marine aircraft are intended for deployment on Indian aircraft carriers and are expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s air power. The fighters will be customised to India’s requirements and will be used on India’s Vikramaditya and Vikrant aircraft carriers, replacing the aging MiG-29K fleet. The French deck fighters are being acquired as an interim solution until the Indian fighter development is finalised.
India is expected to receive the first batch of aircraft by the end of 2029 and all the fighters will be inducted by 2031.
The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft, acquired in a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at the IAF bases at Ambala and Hasimar.
