India is set to sign its biggest-ever defence deal with France on April 28 for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Navy, with the agreement valued at over Rs 630 billion. French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will be present for the signing, which is likely to take place outside South Block.

Senior officials from both nations will represent the two sides at the event, sources told ANI. Lecornu is scheduled to arrive in India on Sunday evening and return the next day.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had cleared the Rafale-M deal on April 9 under a government-to-government framework. The contract includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets, as well as a full maintenance and logistics package, training for personnel, and provisions for domestic component manufacturing.

The Rafale-Ms will operate from aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and complement the Navy’s existing MiG-29K fleet.

The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale jets acquired through a 2016 deal. These are deployed at bases in Ambala and Hasimara. With the addition of the Navy’s 26 Rafale-Ms, India’s Rafale fleet will expand to 62 aircraft, strengthening the country’s 4.5-generation fighter capabilities.

Meanwhile, the IAF is preparing to float a new tender for multirole fighter jets, though it has shown a preference for specific platforms to address near-term requirements.