India is setting the stage for a monumental strategic acquisition as it initiates formal talks with France this week to purchase 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets. This highly anticipated deal, valued at over Rs 50,000 crore, comes at a crucial time given the escalating Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy is keen to ramp up its capabilities and has expressed an urgent need for these sophisticated, high-speed jets to complete its fleet on its two aircraft carriers.
In greater detail, out of the 26 Rafale-M fighters earmarked for purchase, 22 will be single-seat jets while four will be twin-seat trainers. The scope of the deal extends beyond just the aircraft; it encompasses associated equipment, weaponry, simulators, spare parts, crew training, and significant logistic support. If everything progresses smoothly, the Indian Navy expects the first batch of these jets to be delivered within three years following the contract’s signing.
Arriving on May 30, a delegation from France, including representatives from the French government, aircraft manufacturer Dassault, and weapon systems company Thales, will engage in discussions with a contract negotiation committee set up by the Indian Ministry of Defense. This visit underscores the keen interest both nations have in finalizing this landmark deal.
The Indian Navy’s current air fleet primarily consists of 40 out of 45 MiG-29K/KUB jets that were procured from Russia for $2 billion in 2009. These jets serve aboard both the Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya and the newly constructed indigenous carrier, INS Vikrant. Despite their significance, the MiG-29Ks have endured numerous operational challenges, chiefly related to maintenance.
Indeed, the MiG-29K fleet has faced critical issues that hinder operational readiness. Several jets frequently need maintenance after each deck landing due to damage sustained by on-board components. Further complicating matters, the Indian Navy has voiced concerns that the Russian-made MiGs lack several features that were initially promised.
INS Vikramaditya, a behemoth 45,000-ton aircraft carrier, has the capacity to house up to 20 MiG-29K fighter jets. Meanwhile, the locally-produced INS Vikrant, at 40,000 tons, can accommodate up to 18 MiG-29Ks. However, these capacities are not currently optimized due to the maintenance challenges faced by the MiG-29Ks.
High-ranking officials from the Indian Navy clarified that the Rafale-M jets would serve as an interim solution, filling the gaps left by the unfeasibility of maintaining the MiG-29K fleet.
. Over the long term, these aircraft will be supplemented and eventually replaced by the new, domestically developed twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF), also known as the Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).
The Indian Navy remains optimistic that the prototype TEDBF, spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, will be ready by 2026. Full-scale production is anticipated to kick off by 2032, although such ambitious projects are often subject to delays.
Choosing the Rafale-M was a multi-faceted decision influenced by several factors. Among these, the operational similarities with the 36 Rafale fighters already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) stood out. In September 2016, India inked a deal with France to acquire these 36 Rafale jets for approximately 59,000 crore rupees. Dassault has since set up a comprehensive maintenance and training facility in Ambala to support these jets, a resource that will extend its capabilities to the Navy’s Rafale-M fleet. This synergy will help lower deployment costs and accelerate operational readiness since the Rafale and Rafale-M share more than 80% of their parts.
While the Rafale and Rafale-M are similar, the maritime version boasts several modifications for carrier-based operations. These include a reinforced undercarriage to withstand the stresses of deck landings, a tail hook for arrested landings, a jump strut nosewheel for short takeoffs, an embedded ladder for cockpit access, a carrier-based microwave landing system, and a new fin-tip telemir system designed to sync the inertial navigation system with external equipment. These additions make the Rafale-M slightly heavier than the standard Rafale but indispensable for naval operations.
The Rafale-M also incorporates specialized radar and electronic warfare systems, tailored for maritime environments. It features the Thales RBE2-M radar and an enhanced Thales SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, in addition to being compatible with a broader range of weapons including anti-ship and air-to-surface missiles.
Proven in varied combat scenarios in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria, the Rafale stands out for its advanced avionics, radars, and weapon systems. It outperforms Pakistan’s F-16s and is even superior to China’s 5th generation JF-20 stealth aircraft. One of its standout features is the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which significantly enhances situational awareness by allowing for the detection and tracking of multiple targets.
With a formidable range of 3,700 km and equipped with cutting-edge weaponry like the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Scalp cruise missile, and MICA weapons system from MBDA, the Rafale-M provides India with a considerable strategic edge. This acquisition marks another step in strengthening India’s naval aviation prowess amidst growing regional challenges.
