India has signed a contract with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, the country’s defense ministry announced on Monday. The multi-billion-dollar deal will include both single-seat and twin-seat aircraft.
A spokesperson from India’s defense ministry confirmed, “We have signed the deal for 26 Rafale jets.”
Once delivered, the new jets will join the 36 Rafale fighters that India already acquired from France as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize its military capabilities.
The Indian government first revealed plans to acquire 26 Rafale jets in 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France for Bastille Day celebrations.
Manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, these jets are expected to operate from India’s domestically built aircraft carriers, replacing the Russian MiG-29K jets currently in service.
“The Rafale-Marine is a carrier-based combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environments. The delivery of these aircraft will be completed by 2030, with crew training taking place both in France and India,” the Indian Ministry of Defence stated.
Reports from Indian media suggest that the deal will also cover training, equipment, weapons, and other logistical support for the Indian military.
While India has historically relied on Russia for military equipment, the country has diversified its defense imports in recent years, with major acquisitions from France, the United States, and Israel. This deal further strengthens India’s long-standing relationship with French military hardware, which includes the purchase of Mirage 2000 jets in the 1980s and Scorpene-class submarines in 2005.
