India and France sign Inter-Governmental Agreement for 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft
India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement on 28 April 2025 for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft (22 single-seater and four twin-seater) for the Indian Navy.
Summary
The Governments of India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on 28 April 2025 for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft — 22 single-seater and four twin-seater — for the Indian Navy, along with additional equipment for the Indian Air Force's existing Rafale fleet. The IGA was signed by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu; signed copies, with the aircraft and weapons package supply protocols, were exchanged at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The deal includes Transfer of Technology for integrating indigenous weapons, a production facility for the Rafale fuselage, and MRO facilities for engines, sensors and weapons in India. The aircraft are made by Dassault Aviation, and deliveries are to be completed by 2030.
Key facts
- Aircraft
- 26 Rafale-Marine: 22 single-seater, 4 twin-seater
- Signed by
- Rajnath Singh and Sébastien Lecornu
- Copies exchanged
- Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, before Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Indian content
- ToT for indigenous weapons; Rafale fuselage production; MRO for engines, sensors, weapons
- Manufacturer
- Dassault Aviation (France)
- Deliveries
- To be completed by 2030
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many Rafale-Marine aircraft are to be procured for the Indian Navy under the India–France IGA signed on 28 April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 26
The IGA covers 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft: 22 single-seater and four twin-seater.
Consider the following about the India–France Rafale-Marine IGA of 28 April 2025: 1. It was signed by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. 2. The signed copies were exchanged at South Block in the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The signed copies were exchanged at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Of the 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft in the IGA signed on 28 April 2025, how many are twin-seaters?
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Correct answer: D — 4
The 26 aircraft comprise 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft.