India approves Rs 64,000 crore deal to procure 26 Rafale Marine Jets from France

New Delhi, Apr 9: The cabinet Committee has approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets from France for its navy, according to sources cited by Reuters and Press Trust of India (PTI). The move is seen as a strategic step to strengthen maritime defence capabilities amid growing activity in the Indian Ocean region.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the acquisition on Wednesday, sources in the defence establishment told PTI.

The procurement, valued at approximately Rs 64,000 crore (around $7 billion), includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater naval variants of the Rafale fighter, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation.

The jets are intended for deployment on the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, as part of a broader military modernisation programme aimed at replacing aging Soviet-origin platforms and enhancing self-reliance in defence production. The proposed deal follows the Ministry of Defence’s initial approval in July 2023 and is expected to be formally signed in the coming weeks, Reuters reported, citing sources. France’s Defence Minister is also expected to visit India ahead of the contract signing, reflecting the deepening strategic defence partnership between the two nations. France is currently India’s second-largest arms supplier.

The acquisition comes at a time when the Indian Navy has raised concerns about increased Chinese naval deployments in the Indian Ocean, including dual-purpose research and surveillance vessels. China has maintained a permanent military presence in the region through its base in Djibouti since 2017. India’s naval aviation currently relies largely on Russian-made MiG-29 jets, while the Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale fighters acquired under a 2016 deal with France.