India Approves Rs 64,000 Crore Deal to Acquire 26 Rafale-M Fighter Jets from France for Indian Navy

Reported by Mubarak Ansari

New Delhi, 9th April 2025: In a major boost to India’s maritime defense capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets from France for the Indian Navy. The deal, estimated at ₹64,000 crore, was cleared on Tuesday and is expected to significantly enhance India’s readiness in the Indian Ocean region amid rising tensions with China.

Under the agreement, France will supply 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater Rafale-M jets. These advanced naval fighter aircraft will be deployed on India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, with the home base at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Talks Finalized After Years of Negotiation

Negotiations for the deal had been underway for months, with India seeking to acquire the naval Rafales at a price point similar to the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets purchased for the Indian Air Force. The intent to purchase was first revealed during PM Modi’s visit to France in 2023. France responded to India’s Letter of Request in December 2023, leading to the recent approval.

What the Deal Includes

The comprehensive deal includes the supply of the fighter jets along with weapons packages, simulators, crew training, and logistical support. Notably, the weapons will include Astra air-to-air missiles, India-specific enhancements, and advanced landing gear required for aircraft carrier operations.

France had earlier demonstrated the Rafale-M’s ability to take off and land from Indian aircraft carriers during trials, although real-time deployment will require additional upgrades and integration.

Timeline and Deployment

According to defense sources, the first batch of Rafale-Ms could take 2–3 years to be delivered. The full induction may take longer, echoing the timeline of the earlier Air Force Rafale deal which took around seven years for completion.

The Indian Navy is preparing to phase out the Russian-made MiG-29K fighters currently used on INS Vikrant, following multiple technical issues and crashes in recent years. The Rafale-M was chosen over Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet after comparative trials in Goa in 2022, where the French jet reportedly performed better in naval conditions.

Advanced Features of Rafale-M

The Rafale Marine is a naval variant of the combat-proven Rafale fighter and is specifically engineered for operations at sea. Key specifications include:

• Speed: 1,912 km/h
• Range: 3,700 km
• Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
• Takeoff/Landing Capability: Short take-off and arrested recovery
• Design: Optimized for ski-jump takeoff from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant

Approximately 85% of the components are common with the Air Force version, ensuring smoother logistics and maintenance synergy across services.

Strategic Significance Amid China’s Naval Expansion

The acquisition of Rafale-Ms comes amid China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. China recently tested its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, adding to its fleet of large carriers like Liaoning and Shandong. India’s procurement of advanced carrier-based jets is seen as a response to balance the regional power dynamics.

Indigenous Alternative in the Pipeline

While Rafale-M jets are expected to fill the immediate gap, India is also working on an indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF) being developed by DRDO. The naval version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is projected to be ready by 2030–2032.