Jaipur, April 28, 2025.
India and France on Monday signed a mega Rs 63,000 crore deal to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan was also present.
Under the deal, India will purchase 22 single-seater aircraft and 4 double-seater aircraft from France.
These aircraft will be equipped with nuclear bomb launching capabilities. According to reports, this deal with France is being made for approximately 63,000 crore rupees. In terms of weapons procurement, this is India’s biggest deal with France to date.
India will deploy Rafale Marine aircraft on INS Vikrant. Aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has made several modifications to these aircraft according to India’s requirements. These include features like anti-ship strike capability, nuclear weapon launch capability, and 10-hour flight recording. Additionally, the company will provide India with weapons systems, spare parts and essential aircraft tools.
According to reports, delivery of these aircraft will begin in 2028-29 and all aircraft will reach India by 2031-32.
