Game-Changer Deal: Agreement Signed Between India and France for 26 Rafale Fighter Jets

A major step has been taken to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy. On Monday, India and France entered into a major agreement for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. The deal, valued at approximately ₹63,000 crore, was signed by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and representatives from France. Vice Chief of Naval Staff Admiral K. Swaminathan also attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement was finalized under a government-to-government (G2G) framework. As part of the deal, the Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets and four twin-seat trainer aircraft. These fighter jets are primarily intended to operate from the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant, which has been built using Indian technology. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the procurement.

In addition to the aircraft, the deal includes various types of weapons, simulators, training for personnel, and performance-based logistics support for five years. India is expected to make an initial payment amounting to approximately 15 percent of the total deal value. Officials stated that the delivery of all 26 jets would be completed within 37 to 65 months, making them fully operational with the Indian Navy by 2031.

These 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jets are designed for multi-role capabilities including sea-target strikes, air defence, and surveillance. They are also capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The jets will be equipped with Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles with a range of 70 kilometres, SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles capable of striking targets over 300 kilometres away, and advanced Meteor air-to-air missiles with a range of 120–150 kilometres.

In extensive trials conducted by the Indian Navy in 2022, the French Rafale-M outperformed the American F/A-18 Super Hornet. With the Indian Air Force already operating 36 Rafale jets, the Navy considered the Rafale-M advantageous in terms of logistics, spare parts, and maintenance compatibility.

Currently, the Navy operates around 40 out of 45 MiG-29K fighter jets, which were purchased from Russia post-2009 and are deployed on the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. However, the MiG-29K fleet has frequently faced maintenance and serviceability issues. Meanwhile, the indigenously developed Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is expected to be operational only after another decade. Therefore, the Indian Navy decided to procure these 26 Rafale-M jets as an interim measure. The induction of these new fighter jets is expected to considerably bolster the Indian Navy’s strength in the Indian Ocean region.