India to Buy 26 Rafale Marine Jets from France for ₹64,000 Crore
India has approved a big defence deal with France. The Indian government will buy 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France at a total cost of ₹64,000 crore. This decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 9, 2025.
This deal is good for our country and it will help our military. This deal will boost our Naval Power and also it’s provide better technology. Our country is also expanding naval strength. The Rafale-M deal will give a major boost to India’s naval power. With better technology and training support from France, the Indian Navy will be more prepared to secure its interests in the Indian Ocean region.
What India Will Get?
Under this deal, France will deliver:
22 single-seater Rafale Marine jets
4 twin-seater trainer jets
These aircraft will be used by the Indian Navy and deployed on the INS Vikrant, India’s aircraft carrier. They are expected to strengthen India’s power in the Indian Ocean, especially against China.
Background of the Deal
In 2016, India bought 36 Rafale jets for the Air Force from France for ₹59,000 crore.
Talks for the marine version began in June 2024.
The Rafale-Marine deal was first mentioned during PM Modi’s 2023 visit to France.
A formal request was made in December 2023, and now the deal is final.
France will also provide:
Weapons
Training simulators
Crew training
Logistics support
Why Rafale-Marine?
The Rafale-M is specially designed to take off and land from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant. Some of its key features include:
Powerful engine for short take-off from carriers
Arrester landing system to stop on small runways
Speed of 1,912 km/h, range of 3,700 km, and can fly up to 50,000 feet
Equipped for anti-ship and nuclear plant attacks
85% of its parts are the same as the Air Force version, making maintenance easier
These jets will be based at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Why Not Continue with MiG-29s?
MiG-29 jets, currently used by the Navy, have faced many technical issues and crashes.
The Navy tested both France’s Rafale-M and America’s F-18 Super Hornet in Goa.
After the trials, the Navy found Rafale-M better suited for Indian needs.
When Will the Jets Arrive?
The first batch may arrive in 2-3 years.
After the 2016 deal, it took 7 years to get all 36 jets for the Air Force.
One year will be used for final paperwork and cost approval.
Future Plans
India is also working on its own Tejas twin-engine naval jets, but they will not be ready before 2030-2032.
Meanwhile, China is expanding its naval strength. Its latest aircraft carrier Fujian weighs over 80,000 tonnes. To counter this, India is boosting its Navy with modern fighter jets like Rafale-M.
The Rafale-M deal will give a major boost to India’s naval power. With better technology and training support from France, the Indian Navy will be more prepared to secure its interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Conclusion
This deal is good for our country and it will help our military. This deal will boost our Naval Power and also it’s provide better technology. Our country is also expanding naval strength. The Rafale-M deal will give a major boost to India’s naval power. With better technology and training support from France, the Indian Navy will be more prepared to secure its interests in the Indian Ocean region.