1 week Ago
New Delhi: In a major push to bolster India’s naval airpower in the Indo-Pacific, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a Rs63,000 crore (Rs630 billion) government-to-government deal with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The deal, India’s largest-ever fighter jet purchase for naval forces, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale-M aircraft, specifically tailored for carrier-based operations. These advanced 4.
5-generation jets — manufactured by Dassault Aviation — will be deployed on INS Vikrant, the Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, significantly enhancing its operational reach and combat readiness. Deliveries of the Rafale-M jets are expected to begin within 37 to 65 months after the final contract is signed in the coming weeks. The full induction is targeted for completion by 2030–31.
The acquisition package goes far beyond aircraft, encompassing a comprehensive ecosystem: weapons systems, spares, simulators, ground support equipment, crew training modules, and long-term logistical support. In line with India’s defence offset policy, the deal also features components for indigenous manufacturing. Defence officials underscored the strategic significance of the purchase amid rising Chinese naval assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
The Rafale-M jets, currently deployed on France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, are designed to operate in highly corrosive maritime environments and rough carrier conditions — making them ideal for India’s naval requirements. Importantly, the new deal also strengthens the existing synergy with the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates 36 Rafale jets acquired under a Rs59,000 crore deal signed in 2016. These jets form two squadrons, stationed at Ambala and Hasimara near the China border.
The naval acquisition will ensure compatibility in terms of maintenance, training, and logistics, while also boosting IAF capabilities. Defence sources indicate the new deal will enable upgrades like the “buddy-buddy” aerial refuelling system, allowing IAF Rafales to refuel others mid-air, thereby extending their combat radius. Additionally, the Navy will install specialised carrier-based systems to accommodate the Rafale-Ms.
While the MiG-29Ks will continue to operate from INS Vikramaditya, the incoming Rafales will serve as a frontline fleet on INS Vikrant. Looking ahead, the Indian Navy also plans to induct an indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft, under development by DRDO as the naval variant of the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) being developed for the IAF. With this landmark Rafale-M deal, India is not just acquiring advanced maritime fighter jets — it is also reaffirming its strategic focus on self-reliance, maritime dominance, and enhanced joint combat capability across services.
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