India-France Finalize Deal for Purchase of 26 Rafale Marine Fighter Jets
New Delhi: On Monday, an agreement worth ₹63,000 crore was signed between India and France for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. This deal, signed in New Delhi, will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Navy. The Indian side was represented by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, was also present.
India and France have finalized a major deal for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine jets, amounting to ₹63,000 crore. This deal was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership on April 9 of this year. The agreement includes the delivery of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater aircraft to the Indian Navy, further strengthening its combat power. According to the contract, France is obligated to deliver the first Rafale Marine jet within 37 months from the signing date.
The Indian Navy has chosen the French Rafale Marine over the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet for its indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. After prolonged negotiations, the deal has been finalized. Initially, the plan was to sign the deal earlier in the fiscal year, but delays occurred due to the Parliament’s budget session. Under the Emergency Procurement Policy, 26 aircraft will be acquired through a government-to-government deal for the Navy’s multi-role carrier-borne fighter aircraft. Initially, 57 aircraft were to be purchased, but the number was later reduced to 26.
To meet India’s specific requirements, the French company demonstrated the Rafale Marine’s capability to perform ski-jump take-offs, and it was sent to India for trials. Last January, the Indian Navy conducted sea trials for the Rafale Marine at INS Hansa in Goa. The difference between the Air Force’s Rafale jets and the Rafale Marine lies in the undercarriage, nose wheel, a larger arrestor hook, and an integrated ladder. The Rafale Marine can carry up to 4-5 tons of external load (with full internal fuel) for ski-jump take-offs.
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, is confident that the Rafale M will be suitable for the Indian Navy’s warship, INS Vikrant. The Rafale M is already in service with Greece, Indonesia, and the UAE. The Indian Navy believes that the Rafale will better meet its needs. The Navy intends to retire 43 older Russian MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter jets from its fleet.