India, France Finalize $7.5B Deal for 26 Rafale Marine Jets for Navy

Dassault Aviation revealed that India and France have finalized the Inter-Governmental Agreement allowing the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The agreement was executed in Saint-Cloud, France, witnessed by Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Éric Trappier. The contract, estimated to be around $7.5 to $7.6 billion (€7 billion or ₹63,000 crore), encompasses the supply of 22 single-seat Rafale Marine fighters and 4 twin-seat Rafale B trainers, along with armament packages, performance-based logistics (PBL) assistance, maintenance, simulators, additional equipment, crew training, and upgrades for the 36 Rafale jets currently in use by the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

It also addresses offset requirements that mandate the local production of components and equipment within India. This agreement comes after the Indian Navy chose the Rafale Marine in July 2023, following a review process that compared it to Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Tests carried out at India's Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa in Goa evaluated the compatibility of both aircraft for use on Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) designed carriers. 

The Rafale Marine was chosen as a result of these tests. The planes will be utilized on India’s aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, replacing the outdated MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB squadrons, which have faced serviceability problems, maintenance difficulties, and operational constraints since they were introduced.

The collaboration in defense between India and France also encompasses the naval domain. India intends to obtain three more Scorpène-class submarines, expanding the ongoing Project 75 initiative, where six submarines were constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in partnership with Naval Group. 

The new submarines are anticipated to feature a greater share of domestic parts. The Scorpène submarines utilize MESMA air-independent propulsion systems and contain six 533 mm torpedo tubes that can launch heavy torpedoes, SM39 Exocet missiles, or mines, featuring integrated detection and defense systems via SUBTICS and Thales S-Cube sonar systems.