by 
New Delhi, April 29, 2025
India has finalized a government-to-government deal with France to acquire 26 additional Rafale fighter jets for approximately $7.4 billion, the Indian Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. The agreement, which includes 22 single-seat and four twin-seat jets, aims to bolster the Indian Navy’s capabilities and strengthen its fleet of Rafale aircraft, currently standing at 36.
The deal comes at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan, following a deadly attack on April 22 in Pehelgam, India-administered Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, a claim Islamabad denies. The two nations have since engaged in cross-border firing along their border for four consecutive days, raising concerns among analysts about the potential for escalation into a larger military conflict.
Manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, the new Rafale jets will operate from India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier, replacing the ageing Russian MiG-29K fighters. The contract also includes training, simulators, spare parts, weapons, and performance-based maintenance equipment, as well as additional supplies for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet.
The agreement was first proposed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in 2023 for Bastille Day celebrations. The acquisition is part of India’s broader strategy to modernize its military and diversify its arms suppliers, moving beyond its historical reliance on Russia to include France, the United States, and Israel.
Dassault Aviation stated that the Rafale jets would provide India with “cutting-edge capabilities” to safeguard national sovereignty and enhance its global standing. The Indian Navy will be the first outside France to operate the Rafale Marine jets.
India’s defence modernization efforts have intensified since the 2020 border clash with China, prompting significant reforms in its defence sector. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s largest arms importer between 2019 and 2023, accounting for nearly 10% of global arms imports.
This latest deal underscores India’s growing role as a key market for global arms suppliers, as the world’s most populous nation and fifth-largest economy continues to strengthen its military capabilities.
AI/MR
