Rafale Mega Deal in Focus as Macron Visits India, Mumbai Innovation Push to Follow

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in India on February 17 for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , with defence cooperation expected to dominate the agenda amid accelerating discussions on a proposed 114-aircraft Rafale fighter deal . Defence planners estimate the value of the proposed acquisition at €35–40 billion , translating to roughly ₹3.2–3.5 lakh crore , making it the largest defence procurement in India’s history if cleared.

India’s Rafale engagement with France has so far involved two confirmed contracts. In 2016 , India signed a deal worth €7.87 billion (about ₹59,000 crore at the time ) for 36 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force, covering weapons, spares, training and long-term maintenance support. More recently, in 2023 , the government approved the purchase of 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the Indian Navy at an estimated cost of €7.4–7.6 billion (approximately ₹63,000–65,000 crore ), aimed at equipping India’s aircraft carriers with a modern, proven fighter platform.

The Rafale-M jets for the Navy are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2030 , with pilot training and shore-based integration beginning earlier to align with operational timelines for INS Vikrant . The induction will give the Navy its first fully modern carrier-capable fighter fleet, replacing the ageing MiG-29K over time.

The proposed 114-jet Rafale programme is a much larger and more complex undertaking. Unlike the earlier fly-away purchases, this deal is expected to be executed under a government-to-government framework with substantial manufacturing in India , combining limited direct deliveries with domestic production. Defence officials indicate that, if approvals are secured over the next year, the project could materialise contractually by 2027 , with the first aircraft deliveries likely in the early 2030s , reflecting the scale of localisation and industrial setup involved.

Beyond defence, Macron will participate in the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam , underscoring the parallel thrust on advanced technologies.

After concluding his engagements in Delhi, Macron will travel to Mumbai , where he and Modi will jointly launch the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 . The Mumbai itinerary is expected to focus on industry interaction, startup partnerships and research collaboration , reinforcing how defence manufacturing, high technology and innovation are emerging as the twin pillars of the evolving India–France strategic partnership.