Rafale-M Deal: Indian Navy Set for Major Upgrade with 26 French Fighters Amid Rising China Tensions
- India set to sign ₹63,000 crore ($8B) deal with France for 26 Rafale-M jets
- Jets to replace MiG-29Ks on INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya
- Former Navy chief says Rafale will add a “kinetic punch” to India’s naval power
- Amid growing Chinese presence, Indian Navy eyes stronger carrier fleet
New Delhi, April 10, 2025
In a landmark military deal, the Indian Navy is preparing to induct 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter aircraft from France, a move expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s air combat capabilities amid growing Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The ₹63,000 crore government-to-government deal with France is expected to be signed soon, marking a crucial upgrade in India’s naval aviation.
The Rafale-M jets will replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet currently deployed on India’s two aircraft carriers — INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The deal includes 22 single-seater fighters and four trainer variants, bringing cutting-edge avionics and strike capability to India’s frontline maritime assets.
“A Kinetic Push” for Naval Power
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Naval Staff, called the Rafale acquisition a “huge punch in many dimensions.”
“The Rafale is probably a generation ahead of the MiG-29K… It will boost our capability in air defense, anti-ship strike, and electronic warfare. It’s a welcome and overdue addition,” Admiral Prakash said.
He contrasted the Rafale with the MiG-29K, describing the latter as a “Hobson’s choice” during the procurement of INS Vikramaditya from Russia. At the time, the MiG-29K was the only ski-jump-capable aircraft available to India, after the Sea Harrier was phased out.
“We sent teams to evaluate Rafale in the 1990s, but France wasn’t ready to offer the Rafale-M then. The F/A-18 Super Hornet was untested on ski-jump carriers, and politics limited our options,” Prakash recalled.
Why Rafale-M Now?
The Rafale-M is a naval version of the Rafale fighter already in use by the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates 36 aircraft in two squadrons. The Navy’s acquisition will ensure greater platform and logistics compatibility, while significantly increasing combat flexibility at sea.
Compared to the MiG-29K, the Rafale-M brings advanced radar, better weapons integration, superior data fusion, and greater mission adaptability — essential for India’s expanding maritime ambitions.
What About Tejas and F/A-18?
India is also testing a naval variant of the indigenously developed Tejas and has plans for a Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) to be developed domestically. But both platforms are years away from operational deployment, making Rafale-M a necessary interim — and strategic — choice.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, which underwent ski-jump trials at INS Hansa in Goa in 2022, failed to secure a deal despite its capabilities.
The China Challenge in the Indian Ocean
The Rafale deal comes amid rising concern over China’s growing naval footprint in the IOR. China has commissioned two aircraft carriers — Liaoning and Shandong — and is testing its most advanced and third carrier, the Fujian. A fourth nuclear-powered carrier is also reportedly under construction.
Admiral Prakash warned it’s only a matter of time before Chinese carrier battle groups begin regular deployments in the IOR.
“The only thing stopping them now is the lack of integral air cover. But once they have three operational carriers, they will definitely show up in our waters,” he said.
He also pointed to China’s logistical bases in Djibouti and access to Gwadar port in Pakistan as part of a broader strategy to project power in the Indian Ocean.
Are Aircraft Carriers Obsolete?
Despite recent skepticism about carrier vulnerability — especially after drone and missile attacks in the Black Sea and Red Sea — Admiral Prakash strongly defended the relevance of carriers.
“Aircraft carriers are the most protected warships. They offer radar coverage, fighter support, and ASW (anti-submarine warfare) capability. They don’t just need protection — they offer it to the fleet.”
Citing recent missile interception success by US Navy ships and Israeli defenses, he said modern carrier battle groups can handle current threats.
“Let’s not frighten ourselves unnecessarily. Carriers remain potent tools of power projection.”
With the Rafale-M deal nearing closure, the Indian Navy is poised to enter a new era of maritime air power — better equipped to deter adversaries and defend India’s vast maritime interests.
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