India will sign a ₹63,887 crore (Euro 6.6 billion) contract with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets on Monday. The aircraft will be based primarily on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously constructed aircraft carrier.
This is even as the French Defence Minister called off his India visit following a terror attack in Pahalgam that triggered new Indo-Pakistan tensions.
France and India’s top defence officials will sign the deal in New Delhi. The defence minister and his Indian counterpart will sign it through video conferencing. The deal is a major boost for India’s naval aviation and Indo-Pacific security footprint.
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French Defence Minister Cancels India Visit Amid Indo-Pak Tensions
Defence Minister of France Sebastien Lecornu was originally scheduled to fly to India for the ceremony. He canceled the trip following the fatal Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
India accused Pakistan-based terrorists of the attack and accused cross-border assistance. Nevertheless, the Marine Rafale deal goes on, highlighting both nations’ dedication to defence cooperation.
What the ₹63,887 Crore Rafale-Marine Deal Includes ?
The deal is for 22 single-seater Rafale-M aircraft and four twin-seater trainers. It also includes sophisticated weapons, simulators, crew training programs, maintenance support, and five-year performance-based logistics.
In addition, it includes spares and support equipment for the 36 Rafale aircraft already flown by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The cost is high due to India’s focus on operational readiness, state-of-the-art capabilities, and extended support.
Rafale-M Jets to Bolster INS Vikrant’s Air Wing
The Rafale-M jets will primarily operate from INS Vikrant. This will boost India’s carrier-based air power in a region increasingly dominated by Chinese maritime influence. India’s push to modernize its navy aligns with its broader strategy of keeping the Indo-Pacific open, free, and stable.
The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets in Ambala in Haryana and Hashimara in West Bengal. The naval variant of the Rafale will now add another dimension to India’s aerial and maritime prowess.
India’s Biggest Defence Deal So Far
The Rafale deal with the Marine is biggest defence purchase in history. It beats the ₹59,000 crore 2016 contract for 36 Rafale aircraft for the Air Force. The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the deal on April 9.
The large procurement marks India’s emphasis on enhancing naval strength at a time when regional maritime competition is increasing.
Sharpened Naval Focus Amid Indo-Pacific Competition
The Rafale-M purchase clearly indicates India’s intensified naval thrust. With China strengthening its presence within the Indo-Pacific and cross-border terror threats on the increase, India is placing a big bet on carrier-based fighter power.
INS Vikrant, which will accommodate the new Rafale-M fleet, will make the Indian navy even more influential in determining security dynamics across the region.