India inks $7.4b deal with France to acquire Rafale fighter jets

India signed a deal with France on Monday to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, an Indian defence ministry official said.

The contract, valued $7.41 billion, follows approval by India's security cabinet earlier this month, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian Air Force already flies 36 Rafale fighter jets, while the navy primarily relies on Russian MiG-29 aircraft.
The acquisition is part of India’s drive to modernise its armed forces, cut reliance on Russian-origin equipment, and expand domestic defence production.

India’s navy has voiced growing concern over China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, where Beijing operates dual-use vessels and maintains a military base in Djibouti.

The deal also deepens India's longstanding defence ties with France. Indian forces already operate Mirage 2000 fighter jets, bought in the 1980s, and Scorpene-class submarines ordered in 2005.

Officials said the addition of Rafale-M jets, designed for aircraft carrier operations, would significantly enhance India's naval strike power.