India and France have formalized a major defence agreement, signing a Rs 63,000 crore deal for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. Representing India at the signing were Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan, while the Defence Ministers of both nations attended the event virtually.

The newly acquired Rafale M jets are intended for deployment aboard Indian aircraft carriers, with a particular focus on bolstering the air wing of the indigenous carrier INS Vikrant. The MiG-29K fighters currently in service have faced persistent maintenance challenges, prompting the urgent need for a more reliable alternative. Customized to align with Indian naval requirements, the Rafale Marine fighters will serve as a stopgap solution until the country’s homegrown carrier-borne fighter program reaches maturity.

This procurement, the largest naval aviation deal approved by India, was cleared during an April 9 meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The contract covers 22 single-seat variants and four twin-seat trainers, along with an extensive support package encompassing maintenance, logistics, personnel training, and a significant push for indigenous manufacturing components.

The Rafale M fleet will operate alongside the existing MiG-29K squadrons on INS Vikrant, reinforcing India's naval aviation capabilities. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force already fields 36 Rafale jets acquired under a separate agreement finalized in 2016.