India clears biggest ever deal to buy 26 Rafale jets for 63,000 crores

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday approved India’s largest-ever fighter jet procurement, clearing a ₹63,000 crore deal to acquire 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft from France. The purchase will be made through a government-to-government agreement and includes a complete support and maintenance package, government sources confirmed.

The Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine jets under the contract. These 4.5-generation multirole fighters are designed for carrier-based operations. The new fleet will be stationed on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, and will operate alongside the Navy’s current fleet of MiG-29K fighters deployed on INS Vikramaditya.

According to defence sources, deliveries of the Rafale Marine jets are expected to begin approximately five years after the agreement is signed. The contract also includes logistical support, fleet maintenance, personnel training, and provisions for indigenous manufacturing as part of the offset obligations. Specialised carrier equipment and ground-based systems will be installed to support the operations of these aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which already operates 36 Rafale jets at its bases in Ambala and Hashimara, will also see enhancements in capability through associated upgrades. These include improvements to the “buddy-buddy” aerial refuelling system, enabling IAF Rafales to refuel other jets mid-air and extend their mission range. Software upgrades and ground support equipment are also part of the planned package.

The Indian Navy is also working on the future induction of indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter jets, which are currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These aircraft are expected to be the naval variant of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is being developed for the Indian Air Force.