India-France defense agreement worth Rs 63k cr for 26 Rafale jets to be signed today

New Delhi, Apr 28: A defense agreement valued at Rs 63,000 crore for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft will be signed today (April 28), confirmed officials.

With the new deal, the total number of Rafale jets in India's arsenal will rise to 62, significantly strengthening the nation's fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.

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The French Ambassador to India will represent France, while Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will represent India. The Defense Ministers of both nations are expected to join the signing ceremony remotely. Initially, the French Defense Minister was set to attend the signing in person but had to cancel the visit due to personal reasons.

Sources said that the event will take place outside the Defense Ministry headquarters at South Block. The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the deal earlier this month.

India's aircraft carriers are in urgent need of new combat fighter jets, as the current fleet of MiG-29K fighters has reportedly faced performance issues due to maintenance challenges. The newly acquired Rafale combat aircraft are expected to be deployed aboard the INS Vikrant, which is already in active service.

The Rafale M jets will be specially modified to suit Indian requirements and integrated with the aircraft carrier. These carrier-based fighters are being procured as an interim solution until the indigenous carrier-borne fighter jet is fully developed.

The government-to-government agreement includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale M jets, along with a comprehensive package covering fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and the manufacturing of indigenous components.

The Rafale M jets will operate from the INS Vikrant and complement the existing MiG-29K fleet. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft, acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are stationed at Ambala and Hasimara airbases.