India signed a deal with France on Monday to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth 630 billion rupees ($7.41 billion) for its navy, an official from the Indian defence ministry told Reuters. The purchase was approved earlier this month by India's security cabinet,

The Indian Navy will become the first international user of the French jet's naval variant, underscoring the strategic ties between the two countries.

India has signed a deal to buy 26 Rafale marine fighter jets from France, the defense ministry spokesperson said on Monday, strengthening the South Asian country’s naval presence and surveillance abilities in the Indian Ocean Region.