Govt approves 26 Rafale M fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy

In a boost to the firepower of the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft from France.

The total deal, worth over Rs 63,000 crore, is the largest ever fighter aircraft deal of the government of India.

In September 2016, India and France signed a Rs 59,000 crore contract for the purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

The Rafale aircraft has been deployed by the Indian Air Force at its Ambala (Haryana) and Hasimara (West Bengal) bases.

About the 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft deal 

The deal is between the government of India and the government of France.

The deal is expected to be officially signed in April 2025  during the visit of French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The Indian Navy will receive 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater Rafale Marine fighter jets.

These jets will operate from India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously developed INS Vikrant.

The Rafale Marine fighter jets will replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet.

The Indian Navy is expected to get the first batch by late 2029, with the full fleet likely to be inducted by 2031.

The deal includes the training of the Indian Naval personnel in operating the Rafale jets.

The deal also includes fleet maintenance support and significant manufacturing of components in India through an offset clause..

About Rafale Fighter Aircraft 

The Rafale fighter aircraft is manufactured by the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

The Rafale marine fighter aircraft is the naval version of the Rafale fighter aircraft, and it can be launched from an aircraft carrier.

The Rafale M is a versatile fighter aircraft that can carry out all combat aviation missions like air superiority and air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence.