Indian Navy to Get 26 Rafale-M Jets

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the long-awaited procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine variant) fighter jets from France, defence officials confirmed on Wednesday. The deal, valued at approximately ₹64,000 crore, will bolster the Indian Navy’s air power, particularly on its flagship aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

The acquisition comes under an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) between India and France and includes weapon systems, training, and support infrastructure.

According to defence establishment sources, the deal comprises 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and four twin-seater trainer variants. The Rafale-M is the only fighter currently cleared for carrier operations using a ski-jump, making it compatible with India’s Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) carriers such as Vikrant and Vikramaditya.

Unlike the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets, the Rafale-M is built specifically for naval operations. It features reinforced landing gear, a strengthened airframe, corrosion-resistant coatings, and a tailhook for arrested landings on aircraft carriers. Its avionics are adapted for ship-based communications and radar systems. The aircraft’s successful ski-jump trials on the Vikrant last year were crucial in the Navy’s decision to select it over the competing F/A-18 Super Hornet.

The Defence Ministry had given initial approval for the procurement in July 2023, but final clearance from the CCS was pending until now. The Ministry had also sanctioned the acquisition of three additional Scorpène-class submarines from France under Project 75, but those are still awaiting CCS clearance.

Strategic Fit for the Navy
The Rafale-M jets are expected to replace India’s ageing fleet of Russian-origin MiG-29Ks, which have faced operational and maintenance issues. The new fighters will significantly enhance the Navy’s maritime strike and air superiority capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The aircraft will be equipped with cutting-edge avionics, electronic warfare systems, and the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, SCALP cruise missile, and MICA multi-mission air-to-air missiles—all part of the IAF Rafale package.

Background on Rafale Procurement
India had earlier acquired 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force under a €7.8 billion deal signed in 2016. The IAF Rafales have since been deployed in Ambala and Hasimara, forming part of India’s frontline deterrence.

No Official Comment Yet
While the CCS clearance has been reported by multiple defence officials, the Ministry of Defence has not yet issued a formal statement on the final contract timeline or delivery schedule.

The move aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces amid growing strategic challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control with China.

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