Power Projection: India Inks ₹63,000 Crore Deal with France to Buy 26 Rafale Fighter Jets for Navy
Why in News?
- On April 28, 2025, India signed a significant ₹63,000 crore (approximately $7.4 billion) agreement with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy. This acquisition aims to bolster India’s maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region, amid growing security concerns over China’s expanding naval presence.
Important Key Points:
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Deal Composition:
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The contract includes 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and 4 twin-seater trainer aircraft.
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Deliveries are scheduled to be completed between 2028 and 2031.
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Strategic Deployment:
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The Rafale-M jets will be deployed on India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, enhancing the Navy’s operational reach and deterrence capabilities.
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Technological Enhancements:
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The Rafale-M is equipped with advanced weaponry, including long-range cruise missiles, AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.
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Design features such as reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and tailhooks enable efficient carrier-based operations.
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Indigenous Manufacturing and Support:
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The agreement encompasses weapons, simulators, spares, crew training, and logistics support.
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It also includes provisions for indigenous manufacturing of components under offset obligations, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
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Enhanced Interoperability:
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 36 Rafale jets.
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The acquisition of Rafale-M variants for the Navy ensures commonality in training, maintenance, and logistics support across services.
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