India kjøper 26 Rafale M - Defence Security Asia

 

India Finalizes $7.6 Billion Rafale M Deal with France, Enhancing Naval Air Power

The Indian Navy is set to integrate the Rafale M into its fleet, replacing the aging MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB jets currently flown by the INAS 300 “White Tigers” and INAS 303 “Black Panthers” squadrons.

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By admin Last updated Mar 11, 2025

Rafale M

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – India and France have reportedly concluded negotiations for the acquisition of 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighter jets, a deal valued at approximately USD 7.6 billion (RM33.44 billion).

The agreement is expected to be formally signed in April 2025, coinciding with the visit of the French Defence Minister to India.

The Indian Navy is set to integrate the Rafale M into its fleet, replacing the aging MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB jets currently flown by the INAS 300 “White Tigers” and INAS 303 “Black Panthers” squadrons.

These modern fighters, developed by Dassault Aviation, will be stationed aboard India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, significantly enhancing the navy’s air combat capabilities.

While official confirmation regarding the precise breakdown of the order remains pending, reports indicate that India will procure 22 Rafale M fighters for carrier operations, alongside four dual-seat Rafale B trainer aircraft.

Unlike the Rafale M, the Rafale B is not carrier-capable and is expected to serve in a land-based training role.

Deliveries of the Rafale M to the Indian Navy are projected to begin in 2029, ushering in a new era of naval aviation for India.

Rafale M

However, final details concerning training procedures and aircraft configurations remain subject to official approval.

In line with India’s “Make in India” policy, which mandates that at least 60 percent of acquired weapon systems be domestically produced, Dassault Aviation is reportedly evaluating the feasibility of establishing a final assembly line within India.

This move could bolster future Rafale procurement efforts while reinforcing India’s ambition to expand its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

India is no stranger to the Rafale platform. In 2016, the country inked a deal for 36 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with all deliveries successfully completed by 2022.

As part of its broader military modernization strategy, additional Rafale orders for the IAF remain under active consideration.

With India’s latest procurement, Dassault Aviation’s order backlog for the Rafale now stands at 256 aircraft, comprising 190 for international customers and 56 for the French Air and Space Force.

Given the company’s current production rate—which is expected to ramp up to three aircraft per month—Dassault is projected to require approximately seven years to fulfill its existing commitments.

INS Vikramaditya

Rafale M

In a move mirroring the Indian Air Force’s approach, the Indian Navy has opted for a series of custom enhancements to the Rafale M, refining the aircraft’s suitability for naval combat environments.

Among the key upgrades are a new Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), software optimizations in air-to-sea modes to facilitate precision carrier landings, and improvements to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), ensuring the aircraft operates seamlessly within high-electronic warfare (EW) environments.

Additionally, the Indian Rafale M fleet will be outfitted with advanced low-band jammers, an enhanced radio altimeter, and next-generation high-frequency decoys, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s survivability and electronic warfare capabilities.

Armed with these cutting-edge enhancements, the Rafale M will transform into a dominant force within the Indian Navy’s arsenal, reinforcing its grip on air superiority across the Indo-Pacific.

This upgrade not only fortifies India’s maritime strike capabilities but also serves as a powerful deterrent against any adversarial threats lurking in the region’s contested waters.

– DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA