India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance
India and France have finalised a deal for the Indian Navy to procure 26 Rafale-M fighter jets as local production and technology transfer plans take shape. (Image: Steve Lynes / Wikimedia Commons)
Inter-governmental agreement signed as final assembly line plans inch closer.
India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on April 28 in New Delhi for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The order includes 22 single-seaters and four twin-seaters.
The agreement, originally intended to be signed formally between the two defence ministers of India and France, was modified after the postponement of French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit, as earlier reported by Shephard.
Instead, the IGA was signed by India Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh following receipt of the agreement already signed by Lecornu.
The supply protocol and weapons package agreement were
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Airbus-RSAF H225M teaming tests point to future scalability]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Airbus-RSAF H225M teaming tests point to future scalability
The tests between a Republic of Singapore Air Force H225M and Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system were designed to allow the crew to receive and process real-time data from the UAS while maintaining direct command and control.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Saab eyes “share” in future fighter market, targets 2027 CCA demo flight]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Saab eyes “share” in future fighter market, targets 2027 CCA demo flight
The Swedish government is expected to make a decision on the next steps of the Future Fighter System Concept programme by 2030, with the current second phase focusing on technology knowledge expansion and demonstration flights.
-
![Singapore Airshow: Red Cat ramps up portfolio development amid “key” APAC opportunities]()
Singapore Airshow: Red Cat ramps up portfolio development amid “key” APAC opportunities
In the wake of its 1,842% year-on-year revenue increase in Q4 2025, Red Cat sees mass opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region as the company eyes an ongoing production increase and market growth.
-
![India confronts widening military helicopter gap as border demands intensify]()
India confronts widening military helicopter gap as border demands intensify
India’s major helicopter programmes are under the spotlight as the country turns to global partners to replace legacy helicopters with growing urgency.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing’s MQ-28A targets key 2028 date as Block II ground tests begin]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing’s MQ-28A targets key 2028 date as Block II ground tests begin
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is the most mature CCA platform currently under development, with Boeing looking to accelerate its timelines and development of the aircraft.
