France's Military Equipment Drawing Interest from Prominent Buyers, Beyond India (Specifically Rafale, Missile Systems)

In the confines of international arms deals, the Naval Rafale — a combat aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation — has earned a stellar reputation. Recently, India, one of France's foremost clients for military hardware, inked a deal for a new order of 26 units. To bolster their navy, these Naval Rafales will replace the aging MIG-29s formerly used on their aircraft carriers. In 2016, India had previously purchased 36 French fighter jets for its air force, totaling 8.3 billion euros.

Journalist Josephine Pelois of our site.fr has reported on this significant development. On April 28, 2025, Paris and New Delhi signed a contract worth 6.5 billion euros.

India's shift away from Russia, a long-standing major arms provider, towards other nations, particularly France, has been the driving force behind this newfound alliance. This explains why India accounts for 28% of French arms exports — almost double the share to European countries (15%).

France's status as the second-largest arms supplier in the world has been boosted by these Indian orders. Between 2020 and 2024, France shipped arms to 65 nations with Qatar and India being the top two importers after these major purchases.

To examine the secrets behind the Rafale's production, India will soon join the ranks. In recent years, France has grown its arms exports significantly due to deliveries of combat aircraft to Greece, Croatia, and Ukraine, in addition to exports to states in Asia and the Middle East.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), France's status as a world-class arms exporter was confirmed in 2024, when it narrowly edged out Russia in this category. Key buyers of French arms included primarily Asian and Oceanic nations (42%) and a third of Middle Eastern countries. India remained a significant player, representing 30% of French exports. Sipri notes that significant sales of combat aircraft to India, Qatar, and Egypt were instrumental in this growth.

France has proven especially successful in selling its combat aircraft beyond Europe, as noted by Katarina Djokic, a researcher from Sipri, in 2024. The Rafale, a key component of this success, will soon strengthen the Indian Navy.

Here's a summary of key takeaways:

France has become the second-largest arms supplier in the world, with orders from India accounting for approximately 28% of their exports.
Over the past five years, France has delivered arms to 65 states, with Qatar and India following as the second and third-largest importers.
The Naval Rafale is set to join the Indian Navy, replacing the MIG-29s and further solidifying France's military ties with India.
The 2020–2024 period highlights significant expansion in French arms exports to various regions, including the Middle East and North Africa.

Sources:

[1] Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) (2020–2024). rench arms exports

[2] Pelois, J. (2025, April 28). Naval Rafales: India signs new order for French fighter jets

[3] Sylvestre, F. (2024, December 5). France becomes world's second-largest arms exporter

[4] SIPRI (2025). Arms transfers to India

[5] SIPRI (2021). Arms transfers to Morocco

The Naval Rafale, a combat aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation, has bolstered France's reputation in international arms deals, with recent orders from India, including the new purchase of 26 units in 2025.
India's increasing reliance on France for military hardware, contributing to nearly 28% of French arms exports, contrasts with its previous close relationship with Russia.
Between 2020 and 2024, France shipped arms to 65 nations, making it the second-largest arms supplier worldwide, with Qatar and India as major importers after significant purchases.
The upcoming integration of the Naval Rafale into the Indian Navy is expected to further strengthen France's military ties with India, following the replacement of aging MIG-29s.
England's General News and Policy & Legislation sections, as well as world news sites, frequently report on this evolving relationship, including the recent war-and-conflicts-related news of increased French arms exports.