New Delhi: In a transformative step toward bolstering India’s naval prowess, India and France have finalized a monumental Rs 63,000 crore Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets. Signed on April 28, 2025, this landmark deal positions the Indian Navy to significantly enhance its operational capabilities, ensuring maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean and beyond. With deliveries set to begin in mid-2028, the agreement underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its defense forces while fostering self-reliance through indigenous manufacturing.
A Strategic Acquisition for Naval Strength
The agreement, valued at nearly ₹64,000 crore, includes 22 single-seat Rafale-M jets tailored for carrier-based operations and four twin-seat trainer aircraft for non-carrier use. These advanced fighters, manufactured by French defense giant Dassault Aviation, will be deployed aboard India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, starting in mid-2028, with full delivery expected by 2030. The Rafale-M, exclusively operated by the French Navy on its Charles de Gaulle carrier, is renowned for its robust design, featuring Safran Group’s reinforced landing gears, folding wings, and a tailhook system optimized for the rigors of maritime operations.
This procurement addresses a critical gap in the Indian Navy’s capabilities, replacing the aging and operationally limited Russian MiG-29K/KUB fighters currently deployed on INS Vikrant. The MiG-29K fleet, comprising 45 jets, has faced low availability rates and is approaching retirement, rendering it inadequate for the Navy’s primary roles of fleet air defense, strike missions, and maritime interdiction. The Rafale-M’s advanced avionics and carrier-compatible design will serve as a “force multiplier,” enabling the Navy to project power and secure vital sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.
Comprehensive Support and Indigenous Integration
The deal encompasses a holistic support package to ensure seamless integration and sustained operational readiness. Indian Navy crews will undergo training in France and India, utilizing state-of-the-art simulators included in the agreement. The package also covers associated equipment, weapons, and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL), ensuring long-term maintenance and operational efficiency. Notably, the deal facilitates the integration of indigenous weapons, including the Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile and Rudram anti-radiation missile, aligning with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative to reduce reliance on foreign technology.
A cornerstone of the agreement is the establishment of manufacturing and maintenance facilities in India. This includes a production facility for Rafale fuselages and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centers for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons. These facilities are projected to create thousands of jobs and generate significant revenue for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering economic growth and strengthening India’s defense industrial base. The Transfer of Technology (ToT) for indigenous weapons and component manufacturing will enhance India’s technical expertise, paving the way for future defense innovations.
Synergy with Indian Air Force Operations
The Rafale-M shares significant commonality with the 36 Rafale jets (C-variant) operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a ₹60,000 crore deal signed in 2016. This synergy will streamline training, logistics, and maintenance, enabling joint operational capabilities between the Navy and IAF. The deal also includes upgrades for the IAF’s Rafale fleet, such as enhancements to the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling system, which allows one jet to refuel another mid-flight, extending mission endurance. This interoperability positions India’s armed forces for coordinated, high-impact operations across domains.
Diplomatic and Procedural Milestones
The IGA was signed remotely by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, as Lecornu deferred a planned visit to India due to personal reasons. The signing ceremony at Nausena Bhawan in Delhi saw the exchange of signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol, and weapons package supply protocol. Key attendees included Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Navy Vice-Chief Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou. Several Government-to-Business agreements were also finalized, reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.
The procurement was greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 9, 2025, following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval in July 2023. The DAC, led by Rajnath Singh, selected the Rafale-M over Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet after a rigorous evaluation, affirming its suitability for India’s naval requirements. The deal’s approval reflects India’s streamlined approach to addressing urgent defense needs while fostering long-term self-reliance.
Addressing Historical Delays
The Rafale-M acquisition comes nearly eight years after the commissioning of INS Vikrant in September 2022, highlighting past delays in India’s defense procurement process. A former Navy Chief, speaking to Reuters before Vikrant’s commissioning, criticized the “disjointed decision-making” that decoupled fighter selection from the carrier project, noting that negotiations should have begun three to four years earlier. The absence of capable carrier-based fighters has been described by Navy veterans as a public relations “disaster” for the world’s fifth-largest navy, underscoring the urgency of this procurement.
Indian carriers employ a ski-jump launch system and arrestor cables for aircraft recovery, necessitating minor modifications to the Rafale-M to fit the lifts on INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, originally designed for the MiG-29K. These adaptations will ensure seamless operations, allowing the jets to move efficiently between the hangar and flight deck.
Interim Solution with Long-Term Vision
The Rafale-M jets are an interim measure to meet immediate operational needs until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is developed. Proposed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the TEDBF builds on the Naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program and is envisioned as the naval counterpart to the IAF’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Initially, the Navy planned to procure 54 jets, but the number was reduced to 26 following the TEDBF proposal. The Rafale-M fleet is expected to serve until 2031, when the TEDBF is projected to enter service, replacing both the Rafale-M and MiG-29K fleets.
Broader Defense Modernization Efforts
The Rafale-M deal is part of India’s broader defense modernization strategy. Concurrently, the Indian armed forces will receive 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from the United States under a $3.5 billion agreement. Scheduled for delivery between January 2029 and September 2030, the fleet includes 15 units for the Navy and eight each for the Army and IAF, enhancing maritime surveillance and strike capabilities. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, in a December statement, emphasized the Navy’s readiness to counter threats from all neighbors, underscoring the strategic importance of these acquisitions.
Economic and Industrial Impact
The establishment of production and MRO facilities in India is a game-changer for the defense sector. By fostering a domestic supply chain for Rafale components, the deal aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, creating opportunities for MSMEs and skilled workers. The Defence Ministry projects thousands of jobs and substantial revenue, positioning India as a hub for defense manufacturing. Offset obligations ensure that a portion of the contract value is reinvested in India’s defense industry, amplifying economic benefits.
Strengthening India-France Defense Ties
This agreement builds on prior collaborations, such as the IAF’s acquisition of 36 Rafale jets, and deepens India-France defense relations. The integration of indigenous weapons, establishment of manufacturing facilities, and crew training in France highlight the multifaceted partnership. The deal’s focus on technology transfer and industrial cooperation sets a precedent for future defense engagements, reinforcing India’s strategic alignment with France in the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
The Rs 63,000 crore Rafale-M deal is a defining moment for India’s naval aviation and defense modernization. By equipping the Indian Navy with cutting-edge fighter jets, India is poised to strengthen its maritime security, project power, and safeguard critical sea lanes. The agreement’s emphasis on indigenous manufacturing, job creation, and technology transfer aligns with India’s vision of self-reliance, while addressing immediate operational needs. As the Rafale-M jets take to the skies from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, they will herald a new era of strength and readiness for the Indian Navy, cementing its role as a formidable maritime force.
FAQs
1. What is the India-France Rafale-M deal, and what does it include?
The India-France Rafale-M deal is a Rs 63,000 crore Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed on April 28, 2025, for the Indian Navy to procure 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. It includes 22 single-seat jets for carrier operations and four twin-seat trainer aircraft, along with crew training in France and India, simulators, weapons, associated equipment, and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL). The deal also establishes production facilities for Rafale fuselages and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centers in India, fostering indigenous manufacturing.
2. When will the Rafale-M jets be delivered to the Indian Navy?
Deliveries of the 26 Rafale-M jets are scheduled to begin in mid-2028, approximately 37 months after the contract’s signing, and are expected to be completed by 2030, within 66 months. The jets will be deployed on India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
3. How does the Rafale-M deal support India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative?
The deal aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives by integrating indigenous weapons like the Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile and Rudram anti-radiation missile into the Rafale-M platform. It also includes setting up a production facility for Rafale fuselages and MRO centers for engines, sensors, and weapons in India. These facilities are projected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), strengthening India’s defense industrial base.
4. Why is the Rafale-M procurement considered an interim measure?
The Rafale-M jets are an interim solution to replace the Indian Navy’s operationally deficient MiG-29K/KUB fighters, which suffer from low availability and are nearing retirement. The Navy plans to eventually replace the Rafale-M with the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The TEDBF is expected to enter service by 2031, aligning with India’s long-term goal of self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
5. How does the Rafale-M deal enhance India’s naval and air force capabilities?
The Rafale-M shares commonality with the 36 Rafale jets operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), enabling optimized training, logistics, and joint operational capabilities. The deal includes upgrades for the IAF’s Rafale fleet, such as the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling system, extending mission endurance. For the Navy, the Rafale-M’s advanced avionics and carrier-compatible design will bolster fleet air defense, strike missions, and maritime interdiction, significantly enhancing India’s maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.
