The Indian government has officially approved a ₹63,000 crore agreement to purchase 26 Rafale M fighter jets from France. The deal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These marine variants of the Rafale will give a significant edge to Indian naval aviation, especially with two aircraft carriers now operational.
🚢 Boost for Aircraft Carriers INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya
India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya will now be equipped with Rafale M jets. These jets are meant to replace the aging and underperforming MiG-29K fighters, which have faced consistent maintenance and operational issues. The Rafale M will enhance both air-to-air and air-to-sea strike capabilities from the sea.
💥 Cutting-Edge Combat Capabilities Onboard
The Rafale M jets will be delivered with advanced weapon systems such as long-range air-to-air missiles, anti-ship strike weapons, and electronic warfare capabilities. This will allow the Indian Navy to project power and defend its interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a key focus area for national security in the face of rising global tensions.
🛠️ French Firms May Support Make in India
Though the aircraft will be delivered off the shelf, French firms such as Dassault, Thales, and MBDA are expected to work with Indian partners for local manufacturing of components. This opens opportunities for Indian industry and strengthens defence collaboration with France.
🛫 Future Plans and Indigenous Alternatives
The Rafale M is seen as a stopgap till India develops its own Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter, expected to be ready in about a decade. Meanwhile, France has proposed setting up a manufacturing line in India for a larger batch of Rafales, depending on future orders from the Indian Air Force, which requires 114 jets.
