In a significant boost to its naval capabilities, India will receive its first Rafale-Marine jet by mid-2028 and all 26 jets by 2030. This acquisition is part of a massive Rs 63,887 crore (approximately Euro 7 billion) deal signed with France on Monday. These omni-role fighters are designed to operate primarily from the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant’s deck, enhancing India’s maritime defense capabilities. The delivery schedule includes nine Rafale-M jets equipped with advanced weaponry in 2028, followed by 12 in 2029, and the remaining five in 2030. This phased delivery will strengthen India’s aircraft carrier operations in the Indian Ocean and beyond, particularly in response to China’s expanding naval presence and its quest for logistical bases in the region. “The Rafale-M is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities. It will be a potent force multiplier, substantially boosting India’s air power at sea,” an official stated. These 4.5-generation maritime strike and reconnaissance jets will complement the 36 Rafales already inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a Rs 59,000 crore contract signed in September 2016. The IAF’s Rafales, capable of delivering nuclear weapons, are deployed at Ambala and Hasimara airbases to address threats from Pakistan and China. The two major Rafale deals position the French fighter as a frontrunner in India’s long-pending project to manufacture 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) with foreign collaboration. Initially estimated to cost Rs 1.25 lakh crore, this project is now being fast-tracked. In addition to the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) on the Rafale-M jets, signed remotely by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu, an aircraft supply protocol with Dassault Aviation and a weapons protocol with MBDA were also inked. The exchange of documents was witnessed by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, and other dignitaries. The acquisition includes 22 single-seater Rafale-M jets and four twin-seater trainers, along with training for Indian pilots and technicians, a simulator, associated equipment, weapons, and five-year performance-based logistics. Additional equipment for the existing 36 IAF Rafales is also part of the deal. The Rafale-M jets will be equipped with long-range precision strike weapons similar to the IAF fighters. These include 70-km range Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, over 300-km range ‘Scalp’ air-to-ground cruise missiles, and Meteor air-to-air missiles with a strike range of 120 to 150-km to counter enemy jets. While the deal does not include an overall transfer of technology, it does provide for the future integration of indigenous weapons like the Astra air-to-air missiles and the naval short and medium-range anti-ship missiles (NASMs) developed by DRDO with the Rafale-M fighters. Additionally, a production facility for aircraft fuselage and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities for engines, sensors, and weapons will be established in India. “The Rafale-M’s procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimizing training and logistics for both Navy and IAF,” the official added. Currently, the Navy operates 40 out of the 45 MiG-29K jets procured from Russia at a cost of $2 billion since 2009. These jets are deployed on the decks of India’s two over 40,000-tonne aircraft carriers, the older Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya and the new indigenous INS Vikrant. However, the MiG-29Ks have faced issues with poor serviceability and other problems over the years. In contrast, China already has three aircraft carriers—the 60,000-tonne Liaoning, the 66,000-tonne Shandong, and the over 80,000-tonne Fujian—and is rapidly building more, including nuclear-propelled warships. This strategic acquisition aims to bolster India’s maritime defense capabilities, ensuring a robust response to regional challenges and enhancing overall naval readiness.