New Delhi, 9 April - India took a significant step toward bolstering its naval defense capabilities by approving a $7.4 billion deal to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France. This government-to-government agreement, valued at approximately 640 billion rupees, was greenlit by a high-level committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision underscores India's strategic intent to strengthen its military presence in the Indian Ocean region, where it seeks to counterbalance China's growing influence. The Rafale Marine jets, designed specifically for carrier-based operations, will enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to project power and secure maritime interests, marking a pivotal upgrade to its aging fleet.
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The acquisition includes 22 single-seat Rafale Marine jets and four twin-seat trainers, along with an array of advanced weaponry, simulators, crew training, and five years of performance-based logistics support. These jets, manufactured by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation, are destined to operate from India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and potentially INS Vikramaditya, which currently relies on Russian-origin MiG-29K fighters. The Rafale Marine variant is widely regarded as one of the most advanced naval fighter jets globally, equipped with cutting-edge technology such as the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile and the Exocet anti-ship missile. This versatility enables it to perform multiple roles, from air superiority to maritime strike missions, offering a significant leap in capability over the MiG-29Ks, of which the Navy operates only 40 out of an original 45 due to attrition and maintenance challenges.
The timeline for this procurement reflects both urgency and pragmatism. Deliveries are expected to commence four to five years after the deal’s formal signing, which is anticipated in the coming weeks during a visit by French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu to India. This places the initial batch’s arrival around 2029, with full induction likely by 2031. The deal’s approval comes after years of deliberation, with the Indian Navy first signaling its interest in July 2023, when the Defence Ministry reached out to France. Negotiations gained momentum in recent months, culminating in a final price offer from France that shaved off significant costs following tough bargaining. Notably, India opted against integrating its indigenous Uttam AESA radar into these jets—a move initially considered but abandoned due to the high cost and eight-year timeline it would have entailed.
This acquisition aligns with India’s broader defense modernization efforts amid evolving regional dynamics. The Rafale Marine jets will serve as an interim solution until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) becomes operational, a project expected to take at least a decade. The commonality with the 36 Rafale jets already in service with the Indian Air Force, inducted under a 2016 contract worth $7.1 billion, promises logistical and maintenance efficiencies. Additionally, the deal strengthens India’s strategic partnership with France, a relationship further evidenced by parallel negotiations for three Scorpene-class submarines, collectively pushing bilateral defense cooperation past the $10 billion mark. As India positions itself as a key player in the Indo-Pacific, this procurement not only enhances its naval firepower but also signals its commitment to safeguarding its maritime domain against emerging threats.
