Cabinet approves India's largest-ever fighter jet deal: 26 Rafale Marine jets
The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved India's largest-ever fighter jet deal, involving the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy. This Rs 63,000 crore agreement with France includes a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance and personnel training. The jets will be deployed on INS Vikrant and are expected to enhance the Navy's airpower significantly.
New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): In a significant move, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday sanctioned India's biggest fighter jet deal to date, approving the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft for the Indian Navy. The agreement, valued at more than Rs 63,000 crore, will be carried out under a government-to-government arrangement with France, according to government sources who spoke to ANI.
The contract will include 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine jets. It also comprises a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing components under offset obligations.
Deliveries of the Rafale M jets are expected to begin approximately five years after the deal is signed. These fighters will be deployed on INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, and will complement the Navy's existing MiG-29K fleet.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Rafale jets at its bases in Ambala and Hashimara.
The new Rafale Marine deal will also help enhance the IAF's capabilities, including upgrading its "buddy-buddy" aerial refuelling system. This feature will enable around 10 IAF Rafale aircraft to refuel others mid-air, thus extending their operational range.
Defence sources told ANI earlier that the deal will likely include ground-based equipment and software upgrades for the IAF fleet. Additionally, the Navy will need to install specialised equipment on its aircraft carriers to support the operations of the 4.5-generation Rafale jets.
While the MiG-29Ks will continue to operate from INS Vikramaditya, the induction of the Rafale Marine jets is expected to boost the Navy's airpower significantly.
Looking ahead, the Indian Navy is also planning to induct indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets, which are under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The upcoming twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft is likely to be the naval counterpart of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being developed for the Indian Air Force by the Aeronautical Development Agency. (ANI)