India and France have concluded negotiations for the acquisition of 26 Rafale M fighter jets, finalizing a deal valued at $7.6 billion. The contract is expected to be officially signed in April 2025 during the visit of the French Minister of Defense to India.
Modernization of the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy aims to replace its aging MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft, currently operated by INAS 29 “White Tigers” and INAS 303 “Black Panthers” squadrons. The new fighter jets will be deployed aboard the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities.
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Although the exact details of the contract have not been officially confirmed, reports indicate that the purchase includes:
- 22 Rafale M fighter jets configured for aircraft carrier operations
- 4 two-seat Rafale B fighter jets for training
It is important to note that since the Rafale B is not designed for carrier operations, it will be used for ground-based training.
With this acquisition, India strengthens its naval air defense and reinforces its strategic partnership with France in the military sector.
Source and images: savunmasanayist / Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
