In a significant boost to India’s naval aviation prowess, New Delhi and Paris finalized a landmark agreement on Monday for the acquisition of 26 carrier-capable Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. Valued at approximately ₹64,000 crore, the inter-governmental deal was formalized during a virtual ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu.
Under the terms of the pact, the Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale-M aircraft by 2030. Beyond the platform itself, the extensive package encompasses pilot training, simulators, weapons systems, and performance-based logistics support. The arrangement also augments the existing Indian Air Force Rafale fleet’s inventory of equipment, ensuring streamlined maintenance and operational commonality across the services.
A cornerstone of the agreement is the emphasis on self-reliance under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The contract stipulates the transfer of technology for integrating indigenous munitions onto the Rafale airframe. In addition, France will collaborate with Indian partners to establish a fuselage production line as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for the aircraft’s engines, sensors, and armaments on Indian soil. Officials from the Ministry of Defence project that these measures will generate thousands of skilled jobs and catalyze growth among micro, small, and medium enterprises nationwide.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine variant is tailored for operations from aircraft carriers, boasting proven maritime strike and air-defence capabilities. Its compatibility with the land-based Rafale used by the IAF promises to harmonize training regimes, spare-parts inventories, and mission planning across both services. “This procurement marks a new chapter in India’s carrier aviation and enhances our ability to project air power at sea,” Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh commented during the virtual handover of signed documents.
With the induction of these advanced fighters, the Indian Navy will significantly reinforce the air wings of its fleet carriers, including INS Vikramaditya and the newly commissioned INS Vikrant. Analysts note that the Rafale-M’s potent radar, long-range missiles, and versatility in maritime strike roles will act as a formidable force multiplier in the Indian Ocean region, where strategic competition is intensifying.
The agreement complements India’s ongoing naval modernization drive, which features the construction of indigenous carriers and submarines, as well as the planned procurement of unmanned maritime systems. As the first Rafale-M jets are slated for delivery in the latter half of this decade, the Indian Navy prepares to welcome a transformational leap in its aerial combat and reconnaissance capabilities.
