India-France ₹63,000-Crore Rafale-M Jet Deal Finalised

India and France are set to finalize a ₹63,000-crore government-to-government (G-to-G) deal for 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets on April 28, 2025. This deal significantly boosts India’s naval aviation capability and builds upon the earlier Indo-French defence cooperation established with the IAF Rafale deal in 2016.

Summary

• Deal Value: ₹63,000 crore for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets.
• Signatories: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu (remotely).
• Jet Types: 22 single-seat carrier-based jets and 4 twin-seat trainer jets (non-carrier compatible).
• Delivery Timeline: Begins 3.5 years post-signing, completed in 6.5 years.
• Carrier Compatibility: Jets will be modified for operations on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
• Ceremony to be held in India with French Ambassador and Indian Defence Secretary.
• Adds to the earlier ₹60,000-crore deal (2016) for 36 Rafales for the IAF.

• Naval Capability Enhancement: With two aircraft carriers in service, this deal strengthens India’s Carrier Strike Group operations.
• Maritime Security: Essential for India’s role as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Force Multiplier: Rafale-M’s advanced radar, weaponry, and stealth features enhance India’s naval strike reach and combat readiness.

2. Technical Details

• Aircraft Carriers:
  • INS Vikramaditya: Russian origin.
  • INS Vikrant: Indigenous; commissioned in 2022 under “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
• Launch & Recovery System: Uses Ski-jump takeoff and arrestor wires for landing, necessitating aircraft like Rafale-M to be tailored for such systems.
• Lift Compatibility: Minor design tweaks needed to fit Rafale-M on carrier lifts originally meant for MiG-29K jets.

3. Defence Diplomacy and Procurement

• G-to-G Procurement: Avoids middlemen; ensures transparency, strategic alignment.
• France-India Defence Ties: Strengthened post-2016 Rafale deal; includes joint exercises like Varuna, tech cooperation, and intelligence sharing.
• Strategic Autonomy: This deal underscores India’s policy to diversify its defence imports while focusing on long-term partnerships with countries like France.

4. Significance for Rajasthan & National Governance

• Defence deals impact Make in India initiatives through potential offsets and manufacturing partnerships.
• Strategic procurement strengthens India's international posture, useful in RAS interview topics around foreign policy, strategic autonomy, and internal security.
• Understanding this deal helps candidates frame opinions on civil-military balance, defence budgeting, and technological modernization.

Conclusion

The ₹63,000-crore Rafale-M jet deal is a landmark in India's naval modernization strategy, demonstrating its resolve to secure maritime borders and expand blue-water capabilities. This G-to-G procurement underlines the maturing India-France defence partnership and highlights India's strategic shift towards creating a self-reliant, multi-domain military force.

MCQs for Practice

1. How many Rafale-M jets will India acquire under the ₹63,000-crore deal with France?

(a) 36

(b) 26

(c) 30

(d) 22

Answer: (b) 26

2. Which Indian aircraft carriers are set to operate the Rafale-M jets?

(a) INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya

(b) INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant

(c) INS Vishal and INS Vikrant

(d) INS Chakra and INS Vikrant

Answer: (b) INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant