India, France to sign their mega deal for Rafale-Marine fighter jets

India and France are expected to sign a Rs 63,000 crore agreement for 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft in Delhi on Monday, according to defence sources.

At the signing ceremony, officials from the Indian Defence Ministry and the French Ambassador to India will represent their respective countries. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh is set to represent India, while the French and Indian defence ministers will participate virtually, according to reports.

Previously, the French Defence Minister was slated to attend the signing in person, but he had to cancel due to personal circumstances.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the arrangement earlier last month.

The 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets are urgently required for deployment on Indian aircraft carriers, particularly INS Vikrant, which is now in service. The existing fleet of MiG-29K fighters has reportedly underperformed due to maintenance-related issues.

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The Rafale M jets will be customised to meet Indian requirements and will be integrated into INS Vikrant. These carrier-borne fighters are being acquired as a stopgap solution until the development of an indigenous carrier-borne fighter jet is completed.

Sources said the signing event is likely to be held outside the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block.

The French Minister is expected to arrive in India on Sunday evening and depart on Monday late evening, the sources added.

India had cleared its largest-ever defence deal for 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft earlier this month on April 9 during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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The government-to-government contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets, along with a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous component manufacturing.

The Rafale M jets will operate from INS Vikrant and support the existing MiG-29K fleet.

The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at Ambala and Hasimara.

The new deal will raise the total number of Rafale jets in India to 62, significantly boosting the country’s fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.