India Signs ₹63,000 Crore Rafale Deal with France

India Signs ₹63,000 Crore Rafale Deal with France

Why in the News ?

India has signed a ₹63,000 crore government-to-government deal with France to procure 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for its Navy. The agreement strengthens India’s maritime air power and includes provisions for technology transfer and local manufacturing.

Major Features of the Defence Agreement

• India will acquire 26 Rafale Marine jets (22 single-seat fighters and 4 twin-seat trainers) from Dassault Aviation.
• The deal includes training, weapons, simulators, logistics, and equipment for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet.
• A local facility for fuselage production and maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) of engines and sensors will be established in India.
• The jets will be deployed on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Strategic and Technological Gains

• The deal supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission with technology transfer for integrating indigenous weapons.
• Commonality with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets will optimise training, logistics, and joint operations.
• The Rafale M can carry 9,500 kg of payload and reach speeds of Mach 1.8, enhancing naval air combat capability.
• The aircraft is considered suitable for deck-based operations and hostile maritime environments.

Broader Implications and Future Vision

• The agreement reflects India’s goal to project power in the Indo-Pacific, especially amid China’s growing influence.
• The Rafale M is a stop-gap until India develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighter.
• France hailed the deal as a step towards stronger industrial cooperation, including co-development and co-production of defence hardware.