In a landmark move to strengthen its maritime strike capabilities, India will acquire 26 Rafale M (marine) fighter jets from France in a ₹63,000 crore government-to-government deal, sources confirmed on Tuesday. This will mark the first major fighter jet upgrade for the Indian Navy.
🔹 Deal Highlights:
- 26 Rafale M jets: 22 single-seaters and 4 twin-seaters
- Purpose: Deployment on INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier
- Deal Includes:
- Maintenance and logistics support
- Personnel training
- Indigenous manufacturing under offset clause
- Signing Timeline: Expected later this month during French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit
- Deliveries: To begin five years post-deal confirmation, with full induction expected by 2031
🔹 Why Rafale M?
The Rafale M is one of the most advanced naval fighter jets globally. Key features include:
- Reinforced landing gears (from Safran Group)
- Folding wings
- Tailhook for carrier-based landings
- Buddy-buddy refuelling system (enables aerial refuelling between jets)
🔹 Strategic Significance:
The new Rafales will augment India’s surveillance and deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean, especially amid growing concerns over Chinese naval activity. They will complement the existing MiG-29K fleet operating from INS Vikramaditya.
🔹 Future Plans:
India is also developing its own fifth-generation twin-engine deck-based fighter jets via DRDO, meant to serve as the naval counterpart to the AMCA project for the Air Force.
