New Delhi, Apr 28: The Governments of India and France on Monday signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal, signed in New Delhi by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and France’s Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, also covers associated equipment, weapons, simulators, training packages, and performance-based logistics support. According to the Ministry of Defence, the agreement “includes the procurement of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft” as well as “additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force.”
The signing ceremony, held at Nausena Bhawan, was witnessed by senior officials including Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. In addition to the main agreement, the two sides exchanged signed protocols covering the supply of aircraft packages and weapons systems.
In line with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, the deal features a significant transfer of technology component. “The agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India,” the ministry said, adding that it would also establish a production facility for Rafale fuselages and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hubs for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons systems. Officials highlighted that these initiatives are expected to “generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs” involved in setting up and operating the new facilities.
Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne multirole fighter designed for operations in challenging maritime environments. The Ministry noted that the Rafale-Marine “has proven operational capabilities” and shares significant “commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF,” which will streamline logistics, training, and maintenance efforts across the two services.
The first deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin soon, with the entire fleet scheduled to be operational by 2030. Crew training will be conducted both in France and India as part of the contract. “The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea,” the ministry stated. The agreement marks a deepening of defence ties between India and France, building on previous high-profile defence procurements and ongoing strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
