“India and France Seal $7.6 Billion Pact for 26 Cutting-Edge Rafale M Fighters”
India and France have successfully wrapped up discussions for the acquisition of 26 Rafale M combat aircraft in a contract valued at $7.6 billion. The formal agreement is anticipated to be finalized in April 2025 during the visit of the French Defence Minister to India.
The Indian Navy intends to substitute its outdated MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB planes, currently utilized by the INAS 300 “White Tigers” and INAS 303 “Black Panthers” squadrons, with the new Rafale M jets. These fighters will be stationed on India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
Although the precise distribution of the order is still unverified, sources suggest that India will obtain 22 Rafale M carrier-based jets and four Rafale B twin-seat trainers. Given that the Rafale B is not intended for carrier missions, it will probably be used for terrestrial training. Previous reports indicated that all 26 aircraft could be of the Rafale M type, with pilot instruction conducted in France and at INS Hansa in Goa using state-of-the-art simulators. Nonetheless, conclusive information on training and aircraft configurations is still awaiting official endorsement.
In the interim, Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, is exploring the establishment of a final assembly facility in India. This initiative would facilitate future orders and align with the “Make in India” campaign aimed at enhancing domestic defense manufacturing.
India had earlier procured 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 agreement, with deliveries completed by 2022. Further fighter jet acquisitions for the Air Force are still under review as part of India’s extensive military modernization strategy.
