New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is set to finalise a deal worth Rs 63,000 crore with France, under which the Indian Navy will acquire 26 advanced Rafale M fighter aircraft. These jets will replace the older MiG-29K aircraft and will be deployed on aircraft carriers such as INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

This will be a government-to-government (G2G) deal, which has received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). If implemented successfully, the first batch of aircraft is expected to arrive in India by the end of 2029, with all 26 fighters scheduled for delivery by 2031.

Components of deal

The agreement includes the procurement of 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater Rafale M fighter jets. The package also covers:

1. Logistics support
2. Repair and maintenance of the aircraft
3. Training for naval pilots and technicians
4. Manufacturing of certain parts in India (under the offset policy)

The Rafale M is the naval variant of the French Rafale fighter aircraft, specifically........

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