India has agreed to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy from France, the Indian defence ministry announced on Monday, strengthening the country’s naval aviation capabilities as it continues to modernise its armed forces.
According to an official statement from New Delhi, the contract is valued at around €6.5 billion. No French sources had publicly commented by Monday midday.
The deal expands India’s existing Rafale fleet, following a 2016 agreement for 36 of the French-built aircraft. That earlier deal, worth nearly €8 billion, remains the most expensive contract secured by France’s military aviation industry to date.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale is a multirole fighter capable of air defence, reconnaissance and strike missions. It also forms part of France’s nuclear deterrent capability.
The French Navy has operated carrier-based Rafales since 2004, with the French Air Force bringing the jets into service two years later.
France’s military currently operates 165 Rafales, including 41 carrier variants.
Since 2015, the Rafale has become a major export success for France, with 285 aircraft sold to countries including Qatar, Egypt, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Croatia.
