India agrees contract with France for 26 Rafale M fighter jets

India has concluded negotiations with France on the purchase of 26 Rafale M deck-mounted fighters worth $7.6 billion. The official signing of the contract is expected in April 2025 during the visit of the French Minister of Defence to India.

Here's What We Know

The Indian Navy will purchase the French aircraft to replace its MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft operated by the INAS 300 White Tigers and INAS 303 Black Panthers squadrons. The new fighters will be deployed on the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya aircraft carriers.

The contract will reportedly include 22 Rafale M and four two-seat Rafale Bs, which are not intended for military operations and will likely be used for ground training.

Earlier it was reported that all 26 aircraft could be variants of the Rafale M, and pilots will be trained in France and at the INS Hansa base in Goa using modern simulators. However, the final details of the contract are yet to be confirmed.

French manufacturer Dassault Aviation is also evaluating the possibility of setting up a final assembly line in India, which would be in line with the Make in India initiative and facilitate potential future orders.

India has already procured 36 Rafale aircraft for the IAF under a 2016 contract, with deliveries due to end in 2022. Further orders for the IAF remain part of the country's military modernisation plans.

Source: Defence Industry Europe