India signs ₹64K cr deal with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine jets for navy

In the country's largest ever fighter jet acquisition, India on Monday signed a ₹64,000 crore inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with France for buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft to bolster the Indian Navy's firepower, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) release said, adding that a key part of the jets would be built in India and integration of indigenous weapons was on the cards.

- BHASWAR KUMAR

Deliveries of the naval aircraft are expected to begin by mid-2028 and conclude by the end of 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. The contract signing follows the Cabinet Committee on Security's approval earlier this month.

"The induction will lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Navy's aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation's air power at sea," said the MoD.