India has concluded negotiations with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The contract, worth 7.6 billion US dollars, is expected to be signed in April 2025 during the visit of the French Minister of Defence to India.
The Rafale M jets will replace the ageing MiG 29K and MiG 29KUB aircraft currently in service with the Indian Navy’s 300 Squadron “White Tigers” and 303 Squadron “Black Panthers”. These new aircraft will be stationed aboard the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
The contract includes 22 Rafale M fighter jets adapted for carrier-based operations and four two seat Rafale B trainer aircraft. The trainer aircraft will be used for ground training rather than carrier-based missions. The delivery of the first jets is scheduled to begin in 2029.
| Rafale Order for Indian Navy | Details |
|---|---|
| Total aircraft ordered | 26 |
| Carrier based Rafale M | 22 |
| Ground based Rafale B trainers | 4 |
| Expected delivery start | 2029 |
| Estimated contract value | 7.6 billion US dollars |
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jets, is also considering setting up a final assembly line in India. This move aligns with India’s “Make in India” doctrine, which requires that at least 60 percent of defence procurement be manufactured domestically. The company’s decision is driven by the rising number of orders, with its current backlog now reaching 256 aircraft. This includes 190 aircraft for export customers and 56 for the French Air and Space Force.
To meet growing demand, Dassault Aviation plans to increase production to three aircraft per month, which would allow it to clear its existing backlog within seven years. The French government has also announced plans for an additional purchase of 20 to 30 Rafale jets for its own military.
India’s order for these 26 jets follows a previous purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft in 2016. The final two aircraft from that deal were delivered in December 2022. These aircraft feature 13 India-specific modifications, including an Israeli helmet-mounted display system, Meteor guided missiles, an infrared target tracking system, and cold weather engine starters for operations from high-altitude airfields.
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