The Governments of India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy.
New Delhi, April 28, 2025 – In a significant move, the Governments of India and France aim to strengthen India’s maritime defense capabilities. They have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). This agreement is for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets. The order includes 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal also includes training, simulators, and weapons. It provides performance-based logistics and additional equipment for the existing Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fleet.
Key Highlights of the India-France Rafale-Marine Deal
- Enhanced Naval Aviation: The Rafale-Marine, a carrier-borne combat aircraft, will significantly boost the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities in maritime warfare.
- Indigenous Push: The agreement includes Transfer of Technology (ToT), enabling the integration of indigenous weapons and setting up production and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) facilities in India.
- Economic Boost: The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and provide revenue opportunities for Indian MSMEs in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance.
- Joint Operational Efficiency: The Rafale-Marine shares commonality with the IAF’s Rafale jets, optimizing training, logistics, and joint operations between the Navy and Air Force.
- Delivery Timeline: The aircraft will be delivered by 2030, with Indian crew undergoing training in France and India.
Rafale-Marine ; Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Indigenous Manufacturing & MRO Facilities
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), the agreement includes:
- Local Production: Establishment of a Rafale fuselage production facility in India.
- MRO Hub: Development of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons.
- Indigenous Weapon Integration: Enhancing India’s defense ecosystem by incorporating locally developed weapons systems.
Strengthening India-France Strategic Partnership
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and French Minister of Armed Forces Mr. Sebastien Lecornu signed the agreement at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi.The exchange of documents included:
- Aircraft Package Supply Protocol
- Weapons Package Supply Protocol
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh was also present during the ceremony.
Why Rafale-Marine?
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a proven carrier-based fighter with advanced maritime strike capabilities. Its induction will:
- Serve as a force multiplier for India’s aircraft carriers.
- Enhance air superiority and anti-ship strike capabilities.
- Strengthen India’s blue-water naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conclusion
This landmark deal marks a major leap in India’s defense preparedness, aligning with the Make in India initiative while bolstering the Indian Navy’s operational strength. With advanced technology transfer, the Rafale-Marine acquisition will play a pivotal role. It will secure India’s maritime interests for decades to come.
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