India and France have finalized negotiations for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M naval fighters from Dassault Aviation, valued at approximately $7.6 billion. The agreement, expected to be officially signed in April during the French Minister of Defense’s visit to India, follows the Indian Ministry of Defence’s approval for the procurement, which includes essential supporting equipment, training services, and logistics support. The contract will operate under an intergovernmental agreement, with provisions for integrating Indian-developed technologies and establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center. Designed to equip India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022, the Rafale-M offers substantial operational synergy, sharing approximately 80% of components with the existing fleet of Rafale fighters in the Indian Air Force, ultimately reducing long-term maintenance costs. The conclusion of these negotiations not only underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its naval aviation capabilities but also strengthens defense cooperation between India and France, setting a precedent for future military collaborations.
