India Signs $7.4 Billion Deal with France for 26 Rafale Jets to Strengthen Naval Power

New Delhi, April 28 – India has officially signed a $7.4 billion agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday. The deal includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation, marking a significant step in enhancing India’s maritime defense capabilities.

The jets are expected to be delivered by 2030, with pilot training to take place in both France and India. The ministry highlighted that the agreement will not only bolster India’s strategic air power but also contribute to domestic employment and business growth, potentially creating thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue for Indian companies.

The contract was approved earlier this month by the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This purchase follows India’s previous acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the Air Force and reinforces India’s defense ties with France, its second-largest arms supplier.

India’s naval aviation fleet, currently dominated by Russian-made MiG-29s, is undergoing modernization amid rising concerns over China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean. China has maintained a military base in Djibouti since 2017 and has been increasing its deployment of dual-purpose vessels in the region.

This latest procurement continues India’s longstanding partnership with France in defense, which includes legacy systems like the Mirage 2000 jets and Scorpene-class submarines, emphasizing New Delhi’s broader strategy to diversify military supplies and reduce dependence on Russian hardware.

Read more: Norwegian Pakistani & Kashmiri Communities Unite in Response to India’s Aggressive Intentions