SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is set to bolster its maritime aviation capabilities with the arrival of its first batch of Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets starting late 2029. This milestone follows the anticipated signing of a landmark deal for 26 Rafale M aircraft, comprising 22 single-seater Rafale M variants and four twin-seater Rafale B trainers, scheduled for April 2025 during a visit by the French Defence Minister to India.
The acquisition, valued at approximately €7 billion (around ?63,000 crore), marks a significant enhancement to the Navy’s carrier-based air power, ensuring operational superiority in the Indo-Pacific region.
The agreement for 26 Rafale M jets, negotiated under a government-to-government (G2G) framework between India and France, is poised to be formalized in April 2025, coinciding with the French Defence Minister’s visit. The deal, which has been in discussion since the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in July 2023, includes 22 single-seater Rafale M aircraft designed for carrier operations and four twin-seater Rafale B variants intended for land-based training. This procurement aims to bridge the gap until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is ready for service, a project still under development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The Rafale M jets will operate from the Navy’s two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya, procured from Russia, and the indigenously built INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022. Currently, both carriers deploy the Russian-made MiG-29K fighters, which have faced reliability issues and are nearing the end of their operational life. The Rafale M, selected over the American Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet after rigorous trials at the Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa, offers a proven platform with advanced avionics, carrier-specific adaptations, and commonality with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 36 Rafale jets, promising reduced maintenance and logistics costs.
According to defence sources, deliveries of the Rafale M jets will commence approximately 48 months after the contract is signed, placing the first arrivals in late 2029. The delivery schedule is expected to span two years, with all 26 aircraft integrated into the Navy’s fleet by late 2031. This timeline aligns with contractual obligations reportedly requiring Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, to deliver the first aircraft within 37–48 months of signing, followed by a phased rollout. The process will also include crew training, simulators, spares, and logistical support, ensuring the Navy can operationalize the jets swiftly.
The late 2029 timeline coincides with another major naval acquisition—the delivery of MQ-9B Sea Guardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the United States, contracted in 2023. This convergence of advanced manned and unmanned platforms will significantly enhance the Navy’s maritime surveillance and strike capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where strategic competition is intensifying.
The induction of Rafale M jets comes at a critical juncture as the Indian Navy seeks to counter growing maritime challenges in the IOR and beyond. China’s expanding naval presence, including its third aircraft carrier Fujian and dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea, underscores the need for India to maintain a robust carrier strike group. The Rafale M will enhance the Navy’s ability to project power, conduct deep strikes, and secure maritime trade routes, complementing the IAF’s Rafale jets and the Navy’s submarine fleet.
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