India Inks $7.4B Deal With France for 26 Rafale Marine Jets

India on Monday signed an INR 63,000 crore ($7.4 billion) agreement with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy.

The deal was formalized in New Delhi, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh representing the Indian side, alongside Navy Vice Chief Admiral K. Swaminathan.

Cleared earlier this month by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security, the deal comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Under the agreement, India will procure 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets and four twin-seat trainers, along with a package that includes weapon systems, simulators, crew training, and a five-year performance-based logistics support plan.

The Rafale-M fighters will operate primarily from the deck of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Designed for maritime strike, air defence, and reconnaissance missions, the jets are expected to be delivered over a period ranging from 37 to 65 months.

The Rafale-M jets, classified as omni-role 4.5-generation fighters, are capable of delivering nuclear weapons and will be armed with weapons like the 70-km range Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, over 300-km range SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles, and Meteor air-to-air missiles with a strike range between 120 to 150 km.

The Rafale-M had earlier emerged as the frontrunner over the U.S.-made Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet after extensive trials conducted by the Indian Navy in 2022. According to officials, the French jet had advantages in logistics, spare parts commonality, and maintenance because of India's previous induction of 36 Rafales for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 contract valued at INR 59,000 crore (approximately $8.8 billion at the time).

Currently, the Indian Navy operates 40 MiG-29K fighters from its two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. However, the MiG-29Ks have faced serviceability challenges over the years. Given that India's indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) project will take at least a decade to mature, the Navy pressed for the Rafale-M acquisition as an interim measure.

Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale jets, is required to deliver the first aircraft within 37 months of contract signing. Within 18 months, Dassault must also demonstrate a Rafale-M with Indian-specific modifications.

The Rafale-M is specifically designed for carrier operations, capable of launching with heavy payloads and recovering in demanding maritime environments. It can carry up to 9.5 tonnes of weapons, fuel, and pods across 13 hardpoints and features technologies such as a head-up display with carrier approach symbology and advanced power management systems.

As India advances its TEDBF program — expected to have its first prototype ready by 2026 and enter production by 2031 — the Navy is planning its future carrier fleet with a reduced TEDBF requirement of around 87 jets, down from an earlier projection of 145.

How does the Rafale-M compare with China’s J-15 carrier jet? Click here to learn more.