India has finalized a significant Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France, signed on April 28, 2025, to acquire 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The agreement covers 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters for carrier deployment and four twin-seat Rafale DH variants for land-based training, as a carrier-capable twin-seat version was not developed. Revising procedures and Deployments: Restricting Rafale M to flight deck operation, assigning the Rafale M exclusively to the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2), which will have larger elevators. The Rafale M significantly enhances the Navy’s power projection with its advanced sensors, electronic warfare suite, and potent weapons loadout, crucial for countering China’s increasing naval activities in the region. While serving as a stopgap pending the indigenous TEDBF, the Rafale M brings advanced technology and weaponry.