Cabinet clears Rs630b deal for 26 Rafale jets

In a push to bolster India’s naval airpower in the Indo-Pacific, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a Rs630 billion government-to-government deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy.

- 

The deal, India’s largest fighter jet purchase for naval forces, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale M aircraft, tailored for carrier-based operations.

These advanced 4.5-gen-eration jets - manufactured by Dassault Aviation - will be deployed on INS Vikrant, the Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, significantly enhancing its operational reach and combat readiness.

Induction by 2031

Deliveries of the Rafale-M jets are expected to begin with-in 36 to 65 months after the final contract is signed in the coming weeks.

The full induction is targeted for completion by 2030-31.