France and India have signed an intergovernmental agreement for the purchase of Rafale combat aircraft manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation.

Under the agreement, France will supply 36 Rafale fighter jets to India as part of the long-awaited medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract, which is expected to be worth more than $20bn.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

A statement by Dassault Aviation said: "Dassault Aviation is very pleased with this progress, and is actively supporting French authorities in their efforts to finalise a complete agreement within the next four weeks."

"Dassault Aviation is very pleased with this progress, and is actively supporting French authorities in their efforts to finalise a complete agreement within the next four weeks."

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was originally expected to buy 126 Rafale aircraft, with the first 18 jets to be manufactured in France from the second quarter of 2015 onwards, while the remaining 108 were to be locally built following a technology transfer to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

However, the countries could not reach an agreement due to disagreements over Dassault’s refusal to provide guarantees for the fighters built in India.

Additionally, France’s Safran dropped the plans to collaborate with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics to make engine parts for the aircraft, after the country scaled down its requirement.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The new MMRCA aircraft is expected to serve as the mainstay of the IAF fighter aircraft fleet for the next 40 years and will replace its existing fleet of MiG variants.

Powered by two SNECMA M88 engines, Rafale is a delta-wing multi-role jet fighter designed to conduct air-to-air combat, reconnaissance flights and nuclear bombing missions.

The aircraft is capable of carrying anti-ship and air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. It is in use with the French Navy and Air Force, and has also been ordered by Egypt.