India has closed a $7.4 billion deal with France on Rafale fighter jets

India has closed a deal with France for 26 French Rafale fighter jets, which amounted to 630 billion rupees (about $7.4 billion). This agreement also provides for the provision of weapons, training programs and simulators. This was announced on April 28 by the Indian Ministry of Defense on its website.

"India and France have signed a landmark intergovernmental agreement on the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters (22 single and 4 double)," the publication says.

The signing ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh from the Indian side, and his French counterpart Sebastian Lecorny from the French side. According to the agency, the technology will contribute to the strengthening of the Indian naval aviation.

According to The Hindu, deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2030.

The latest Chinese: China is testing the sixth-generation J-36 bomber

What characteristics will this machine have and how will other leading aviation countries respond?

Earlier, on April 19, the Indian edition of the Times now reported on the country's plans to sign a $7.3 billion contract with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft. It is specified that the country already has 36 similar aircraft, which were purchased in 2016.