Indian Navy Spending €6.5bn On Rafale Marine Planes

The Indian Navy is buying 26 Rafale Marine fighters from Dassault Aviation for its aircraft carriers in a deal reported to be worth more than €6.5 billion.

As per a Dassault Aviation press statement, yesterday’s (Monday’s) signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France also enabled the signing, in the presence of the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Éric Trappier, of the contract for India’s acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft.

The ₹63,000 crore (about €6.5 billion) deal will see India acquire 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seaters for the Indian Navy, plus  training, simulators, spares and equipment, weapons and other logistical elements. It also includes additional equipment for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing 36-strong Rafale fleet.

Delivery of the new jets is expected by 2030, with crew undergoing training in both France and India.

The agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India and the construction of a  domestic production facility for Rafale fuselage, plus maintenance facilities for engines, sensors and weapons. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs.

The IGA was signed by Minister of Defence of India Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Sebastien Lecornu.

The finalisation of the contract confirms a decision first made back in summer 2023 when the Indian Navy first selected the Rafale Marine; it will become the first operator of the marine version of the fighter outside France.

The Dassault Aviation statement said the deal’s conclusion “confirms the Indian authorities’ satisfaction with the aircraft’s capabilities and their desire to broaden the spectrum of its operational use,” and “testifies to the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France.”

Dassault Aviation employs over 14,000 workers and has delivered more than 10,000 military and civil aircraft across in excess of 90 countries over the last century; in 2024 its sales amounted to €6.2 billion. 

• You can read more details in the Dassault Aviation website and Indian MoD website