India completes a Rs 63,000-crore purchase agreement with France for 26 Rafale Navy aircraft: Sources
India plans to phase out MiG-29Ks by 2031 after the Rs 63,000-crore Rafale Marine deal is approved, putting INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in a position to conduct cutting-edge carrier-based combat operations.
Ankush Pandey
Highlights
- The Navy will receive both single-seater and twin-seater Rafale Marine aircraft.
- The agreement was approved by PM Modi's Cabinet Committee on Security.
- The MiG-29K will be replaced by jets to increase air power on domestic carriers.
Defense sources told India Today TV on Wednesday that India had successfully completed a significant government-to-government agreement with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft. Over Rs 63,000 crore is the estimated value of the deal, which is anticipated to be finalized in the upcoming weeks.
According to sources, the offset obligations will provide the Indian Navy with 22 single-seater aircraft, four twin-seater versions, and a full package of fleet maintenance, logistical support, employee training, and domestically produced parts. Navy personnel training is also included in the agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the agreement.
The Navy will have much more air power at sea thanks to the Rafale Marine jets, which are set to be deployed on Indian aircraft carriers. The combat-tested Rafale fighter's carrier-based counterpart, the Rafale Marine, is renowned for its cutting-edge avionics, weaponry, and operational adaptability.
Rafale Marine fighter jet deliveries are anticipated to start in about four years, according to sources. The Navy is anticipated to receive the first batch by late 2029, and the entire fleet is anticipated to be inducted by 2031.
These jets will replace the aging MiG-29K fleet and be operated by India's aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and the domestic INS Vikrant, once they are delivered.
Intergovernmental processing of the deal guarantees accelerated delivery schedules and guaranteed maintenance assistance from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation.
In order to perform Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) operations—a method used to launch and recover aircraft on naval carriers—the Rafale M is designed for carrier-based missions. It has strengthened airframes, arrestor hooks, and reinforced landing gear.
India plans to build three more Scorpene-class submarines as part of Project-75 in addition to the Rafale-M agreement, strengthening its underwater combat capabilities. In collaboration with France's Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), these submarines will be constructed. In the meantime, other significant naval procurement projects are moving forward according to schedule.
