But while the contract signals India's commitment to strengthening its naval aviation and diversifying its defense partnerships, it has also stirred a contentious debate: Is India overpaying for outdated technology in an era dominated by stealth and next-generation capabilities? The deal was inked by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Indian Defense Joint Secretary Dinesh Kumar in a ceremony attended by top military and diplomatic officials. It includes 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters and four twin-seat trainers, which will be restricted to land-based roles due to limitations on carrier deployment. The agreement is not limited to the aircraft. It encompasses a package of armaments, full crew training programs, flight simulators, five years of performance-based logistics (PBL), and significant technology transfers aimed at boosting India's domestic defense manufacturing.