India on Monday signed an agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 63,000 crore.
Of the total 26 aircraft, 22 will be single-seater and four will be two-seater. These aircraft will be deployed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
The Government had approved the purchase of these aircraft during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) earlier this month.
After getting these fighter aircraft, the Navy’s striking capability will increase manifold. Currently, the Air Force fleet has 36 Rafale fighter aircraft.
The contract package also includes maintenance of the aircraft, training and indigenous manufacturing of spare parts.
Currently, the Indian Navy has a fleet of MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
