India Clears ₹63,887 Crore Rafale-M Deal Amid China’s Naval Rise
In a major boost to India’s naval capabilities, the government has approved a ₹63,887 crore (Euro 6.6 billion) deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets. The decision, taken by the PM-led Cabinet Committee on Security, comes as China continues to expand its presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
The new Rafale-M jets, tailored for maritime operations, will be deployed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The agreement includes 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat aircraft, along with weapons, simulators, crew training, spare parts, and a five-year performance-based logistics support. Officials confirmed the contract is set to be signed this month.
French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to be present at the signing of the inter-governmental agreement (IGA), which also includes additional equipment for the Indian Air Force’s existing 36 Rafales, procured in 2016 under a ₹59,000 crore contract.
Although both Rafale deals do not include transfer of technology, they position the French jet as a frontrunner for India’s larger plan to manufacture 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) with foreign partners—an initiative now being accelerated.
Deliveries of the 26 Rafale-M jets will start 37 months post-signing and complete by 2031. India will make an initial payment of 15% of the total cost upon finalization of the agreement.
These omni-role 4.5-generation aircraft are equipped for nuclear delivery and will be armed with weapons such as Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, Scalp air-to-ground cruise missiles, and Meteor air-to-air missiles. France has also agreed to support integration of Indian-developed naval missiles like NASM and BrahMos-NG into the Rafale-M in future.
Dassault Aviation will manufacture the aircraft, with Thales handling weapon integration. The Rafale-M outperformed the US F/A-18 Super Hornet during naval trials in 2022, thanks to its logistical advantages stemming from the IAF’s existing fleet.
Currently, the Navy operates around 40 MiG-29K jets from its two carriers—INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant—but these aircraft have struggled with poor serviceability. With the indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF) still a decade away, the Rafale-M deal is seen as a critical interim solution.
Meanwhile, another major Indo-French defence project is in the works: a ₹33,500 crore deal to build three additional Scorpene-class submarines at Mazagon Docks in partnership with France’s Naval Group.
India’s push to strengthen its naval presence comes as China rapidly expands its carrier fleet, now including the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. However, India has yet to approve the construction of a third aircraft carrier, which could take over a decade to complete.
With growing militarization in the Indian Ocean, the deployment of advanced fighters on Indian carriers is becoming an increasingly urgent priority.
