India has signed an agreement with France on Monday to procure 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth $7.4 billion for its navy, the Indian defence ministry announced in a statement.
The ministry specified that India will acquire 22 single-seat and four twin-seat fighters, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation (AM.PA), in a deal that is expected to strengthen the Asian nation’s defence ties with its second-largest arms provider.
“The delivery of these aircraft is slated for completion by 2030, with the crew undergoing comprehensive training in both France and India,” the ministry stated, adding that the agreement is projected to generate thousands of jobs and significant revenue for a wide array of businesses.
Reuters reported that the purchase received approval earlier this month from India’s security cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian Air Force currently operates a fleet of 36 Rafale fighters, while the navy’s aircraft inventory predominantly consists of Russian-made MiG-29 jets.
India is actively pursuing the modernization of its military, aiming to reduce its reliance on equipment of Russian origin, and boost its domestic weapons production to supply forces deployed along its two contested borders with Pakistan and China.
The Indian navy has raised concerns about China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean over the past decade, with Beijing operating dual-purpose vessels in the region and maintaining a military base in Djibouti since 2017.
This deal also signifies another step in India’s long-standing reliance on French military hardware, which includes Mirage 2000 jets acquired in the 1980s and Scorpene-class submarines ordered in 2005.
