India is poised to bolster its naval aviation capabilities with the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France, under a government-to-government framework agreement recently approved by New Delhi. According to official sources cited by ANI, the contract—estimated at over ₹63,000 crore—is anticipated to be formalized in the near term.
The acquisition package comprises 22 single-seat variants and four twin-seat trainers, tailored to meet the specific operational demands of the Indian Navy. This procurement marks a significant step in India’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime air dominance, particularly with aircraft designed for carrier-based operations.
The agreement further includes a comprehensive five-year performance-based logistics (PBL) support plan, ensuring sustained availability and readiness of not only the new Rafale-M fleet but also the 36 Rafale aircraft already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), which were acquired under a previous ₹59,000 crore contract finalized in 2016.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-M aircraft are scheduled for phased delivery within 37 to 65 months following contract execution, with full fleet induction projected by 2030-31. Structurally, the deal parallels the earlier IAF Rafale contract, reinforcing strategic ties between Paris and New Delhi while ensuring interoperability and streamlined logistics across service branches.
In addition to augmenting naval airpower, the Rafale-M deal is expected to have a force-multiplying effect on the IAF. The integration of an upgraded “buddy-buddy” aerial refuelling system will enable up to 10 Rafale aircraft to conduct mid-air refuelling operations autonomously, thereby extending mission endurance and reach.
Further, defence sources suggest the deal may encompass auxiliary elements such as ground support equipment and software enhancements for existing IAF Rafales, promoting seamless joint operations between naval and air force units.
While the MiG-29K remains operational aboard the INS Vikramaditya, the introduction of Rafale-M fighters will represent a qualitative leap in the Navy’s carrier strike capabilities. Concurrently, the Indian Navy is advancing plans to field indigenous fifth-generation twin-engine deck-based fighters, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These platforms are intended to serve as the naval variant of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), currently under development for the IAF.
