Sat May 03 16:55:41 UTC 2025: ## India Finalizes Deal for 26 Rafale-M Fighter Jets for Navy

**New Delhi, May 3, 2025** – India and France have finalized a ₹64,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy, bolstering the country’s naval capabilities. The agreement, signed on April 28th, includes training, simulators, equipment, weapons, and five years of performance-based logistics. Delivery of the jets, 22 single-seater and four twin-seater, is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2028 and conclude by the end of 2030.

The Rafale-M jets will equip both the INS Vikramaditya and the newly commissioned INS Vikrant, enabling both carriers to operate at full fighter capacity. However, minor modifications to both the aircraft and the carriers’ lifts will be necessary for optimal integration. Specifically, the Rafale-M’s wing pylons will need to be removed before movement on the carrier lifts, a process that takes only a few minutes.

The deal’s timely completion was facilitated by the Indian government’s consolidated defence budget allocation, eliminating service-specific budgeting and streamlining procurement. This also allowed for the simultaneous conclusion of another significant deal: the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in March.

The addition of the Rafale-M addresses the Indian Navy’s need for enhanced fighter strength, especially given the less-than-optimal serviceability rate of its existing MiG-29K fleet. The Rafale-M’s multi-role capabilities, including air defence, maritime strikes, and shore strikes, will significantly enhance the Navy’s operational reach and power projection. A naval source noted that the full complement of Rafale-Ms will allow India to effectively control sea lanes and strike enemy targets from a safe distance.

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