India Approves ₹63,000 Crore Deal for 26 Rafale-M Fighter Jets for Navy:

India has officially cleared a high-value defense agreement to acquire 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter aircraft from France in a government-to-government deal reportedly valued at over ₹63,000 crore, according to ANI reports citing government sources.

The Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater Rafale-M jets as part of the procurement. These aircraft are intended for deployment on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, significantly enhancing the Navy’s strike capabilities.

Background and Strategic Importance

The Defence Ministry had granted approval for the Rafale-M purchase in July 2023. Manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-M fighters will be delivered within 37 to 65 months following the formal signing of the contract.

These carrier-based aircraft are being customized with specific enhancements to operate from the deck of INS Vikrant—India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier.

Boosting Naval Power in the Indian Ocean Region

The acquisition is seen as a strategic move amid increasing Chinese military activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The addition of Rafale-M jets will improve India's maritime dominance and operational readiness.

These fighter jets are expected to play a crucial role in power projection, air superiority, and long-range strike missions, reinforcing India’s defense posture in the region.