India, April 28 -- India and France on Monday signed a key deal to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs.63,000 crore for the Indian Navy.

India is procuring the jets from French defence major Dassault Aviation for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

The Cabinet Commitee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the government-to-government deal for 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters and four twin-seat trainers this month, Hindustan Times had earlier reported.

The aircraft, manufactured by French plane maker Dassault Aviation, is being imported as an interim measure to meet the navy's urgent requirements until India develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighter. ...