Description

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Context

Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by PM approved a ₹63000 crore deal for procuring 26 Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets from France.

This is a government to government (G2G) agreement with Dassault Aviation.

The signing is expected during the visit of the French Defence Minister to India later this month.

These jets will be deployed on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant which are India’s two operational aircraft carriers.

Enhances India’s blue-water naval capabilities and power projection in the Indo-Pacific.

Rafale M is carrier compatible unlike many other multirole jets.

A significant upgrade from the ageing MiG 29K fleet currently in use by the Indian Navy.

Component	Details
Number of jets	26
Single seater jets	22 to be carrier operable
Twin seater trainers	4 not carrier operable
Delivery timeline	Begins in 3.5 years; complete in 6.5 years

Feature	Specification
Manufacturer	Dassault Aviation, France
Jet Type	4.5++ generation, twin-engine, multirole fighter
Speed	Up to Mach 1.8
Combat Radius	Over 1000 km
Engines	2 x SNECMA M88 turbofan engines with supercruise
Payload Capacity	9500 kg across 14 hardpoints
Radar	RBE2 AESA radar
EW Suite	SPECTRA electronic warfare system
Capabilities	Air superiority, ground attack, anti-ship, reconnaissance
Carrier Features	Reinforced landing gear, tailhook, short takeoff and arrested recovery STOBAR

Variant	Description
Rafale C	Single seat version for Air Force
Rafale B	Twin seat trainer version with full combat capability
Rafale M	Naval variant, carrier compatible, reinforced for maritime operations
Rafale N	Nuclear strike capability which is not exported
Rafale R	R&D & reconnaissance

Year	Event
2007	India floated MMRCA tender for 126 jets with tech transfer
2015	Tender shelved; opted for direct deal
2016	₹60000 crore deal signed for 36 Rafale jets for IAF
2019-2022	Delivery of Rafale jets to Indian Air Force completed
2023	Defence Acquisition Council gave initial approval for Rafale M
2025	CCS clears final deal