India and France ink deal for 26 Rafale jets

Fleet will be based on Navy's local aircraft carrier, 'INS Vikrant'

- Gulf News Report

India has signed a contract to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France, New Delhi's defence ministry said yesterday, with the multi-billion-dollar deal to include both single and twin-seat planes.

"We have signed the deal for 26 Rafale jets," a spokesperson for India's defence ministry told AFP.

The Rs630 billion ($7.56 billion) contract is a record government-to-government deal. The signed purchase agreement is for 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater trainers, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2031.

The deal also includes fleet maintenance, logistical support, and personnel training and, in a significant moment for the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, indigenous manufacturing of components under offset obligations.