Indian Rafale Deal: ₹63,000 Cr Navy Jet Deal Approved

Rafale Deal: In a historic government-to-government agreement valued at more than Rs 63,000 crore, India will purchase 26 Rafale M fighter planes, or the maritime versions, for the Navy. These will be the nation’s naval forces’ first significant fighter jet upgrade. The Defense Ministry first discussed the procurement with its French counterpart in July 2023.

The sources claim that as part of offset responsibilities, the agreement will also include a whole range of services, including personnel training, fleet maintenance, logistical support, and domestic component production.

Rafale Deal Set to Be Signed This Month

During his visit to India later this month, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to sign the agreements. According to sources, deliveries are anticipated five years after the agreement is finalized. Therefore, it is unlikely that the fleet will be fully inducted before 2031. Many people agree that the Rafale M is among the most sophisticated naval fighter planes in the world. It has foldable wings, a reinforced undercarriage to handle tough weather, deck landing, tailhooks, and reinforced landing gears from Safran Groups, which are considered to be among the best for carrier-compatible aircraft.

Navy Deploys Rafale M on INS Vikrant

Given the need to monitor Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean region, India is looking to bolster its maritime strike capabilities. The jets, which come in 22 single-seater and four twin-seater models, would mostly be deployed on board the domestically built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi stated in December that the Navy is “ready to tackle threats from all neighbors” and that it is “adjusting our strategy to negate” any violation in its area of operations.

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Rafales Extend Navy Air Power

Additionally, the Navy’s new Rafales will improve the Air Force’s capabilities, such as the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling system, which helps the fighters stay in the air longer by enabling one jet with a refueling pod to serve as a fuel tanker for another. The current fleet of MiG-29Ks, which are expected to continue operating out of India’s second (and older) aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, will be complemented by the Navy’s new Rafales. The Defense Research and Development Institute, or DRDO, is developing fifth-generation fighter jets that the Navy intends to introduce domestically.