India-France Seal ₹3.25 Lakh Cr Rafale Deal

India and France are set to sign a landmark Rs.3.25 lakh crore defence agreement under which India will procure 114 Rafale fighter jets, marking one of the biggest military aviation deals in the country’s history. The agreement is expected to be formalised during high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.

The deal, involving French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, is aimed at significantly enhancing the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities amid growing regional security challenges. Sources indicate that the agreement will likely include technology transfer provisions, local manufacturing components under the Make in India initiative, and long-term maintenance and support packages.

The procurement of 114 additional jets is expected to strengthen India’s air combat fleet, improve squadron strength, and deepen strategic defence ties between New Delhi and Paris. The Modi-Macron meeting is also likely to focus on broader cooperation in defence production, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific strategy, underlining the expanding India-France strategic partnership.