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कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

Summary

On April 28, 2025, India and France formalized a ₹63,000 crore (US $7.4 billion) contract for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets—22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat trainers—for the Indian Navy. Deliveries are slated to conclude by 2030, with crew training to take place both in France and in India. This purchase not only replaces the navy’s aging MiG-29K fleet but also deepens Franco-Indian defense cooperation amid evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.

Background

India’s first major Rafale purchase was in September 2016, when it inked a deal for 36 “ready-to-fly” aircraft for the Air Force at a cost of €7.87 billion (approx. US $8.7 billion), marking its first combat aircraft acquisition in two decades.

That earlier acquisition, surrounded by lengthy negotiations and debate in Parliament, scaled back an initial plan for 126 jets to 36 to meet urgent operational needs against China and Pakistan.

Since then, India has modernized its fleet with Mirage 2000s and Scorpene-class submarines from France, while its Navy operated Russian MiG-29Ks aboard its carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

Deal Details

• Scope & Value: 26 Rafale-M jets (22 single-seaters, 4 twin-seat trainers), at ₹63,000 crore (US $7.4 billion).
• Delivery Timeline: Completed by 2030, over a span of 5–6 years.
• Training & Maintenance: Operating crews to train in France and India; the deal includes a performance-based logistics package expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for numerous Indian businesses.
• Government Approval: Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in April 2025.

Strategic Significance

1. Naval Modernization: Replaces the aging MiG-29K fleet aboard India’s carriers, bolstering power-projection in the Indian Ocean  ensuring air cover for INS Vikramaditya and newly commissioned INS Vikrant.
2. Diversification of Suppliers: Reduces reliance on Russian hardware amid geopolitical shifts and aligns with India’s “Make in India” push to enhance indigenous defense production.
3. Regional Balance: Serves as a counter to China’s increasing naval footprint—dual-use vessels in the Indian Ocean and a base in Djibouti since 2017.

Ground-Level Impact

• Offsets & Industry: Under India’s offset policy, Dassault and its partners must reinvest at least 30% of contract value in Indian defense firms, potentially spurring new aerospace clusters in Nagpur and Bengaluru.
• Skill Development: Thousands of engineers, technicians, and pilots will undergo specialized training, boosting skill levels in maintenance, avionics, and weapons handling.

Key Figures

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Chaired the CCS approval meeting.
• Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh & French Ambassador Thierry Mathou: Presided over the signing ceremony remotely from New Delhi and Paris respectively.
• Dassault CEO Éric Trappier: Welcomed the deal as “a testament to Franco-Indian strategic partnership.”

Lesser-Known Facts

• Design Variants: Rafale M is the only modern fighter capable of operating from ski-jump carriers without catapult assistance.
• Carrier Trials: It underwent extensive compatibility trials aboard INS Vikramaditya in 2023, clearing a key hurdle for navy induction.
• Multirole Capabilities: Besides air superiority, Rafale M can launch the MBDA SCALP cruise missile and the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, enhancing strike options.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers should verify details with official government releases and Dassault Aviation communications. The reporting in this article does not constitute an endorsement of any defense procurement, and no liability is assumed for actions taken based on this information.