India signed a $7.5 billion contract with France on April 28 to acquire 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets for its navy—a move that marks the largest bilateral defense deal ever between the two countries. Announced in New Delhi, the pact is designed to enhance India’s maritime air power by outfitting its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, with cutting-edge carrier-based fighters capable of countering emerging threats, particularly those posed by China in the Indian Ocean Region.
But while the contract signals India’s commitment to strengthening its naval aviation and diversifying its defense partnerships, it has also stirred a contentious debate: Is India overpaying for outdated technology in an era dominated by stealth and next-generation capabilities?
The deal was inked by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Indian Defense Joint Secretary Dinesh Kumar in a ceremony attended by top military and diplomatic officials. It includes 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters and four twin-seat trainers, which will be restricted to land-based roles due to limitations on carrier deployment.
The agreement is not limited to the aircraft. It encompasses a package of armaments, full crew training programs, flight simulators, five years of performance-based logistics (PBL), and significant technology transfers aimed at boosting India’s domestic defense manufacturing.
Deliveries are slated to begin in mid-2028 and conclude by 2030, aligning with India’s efforts to consolidate its military aviation around a more interoperable and modern fleet. But it’s the $288 million per aircraft price tag, inclusive of all associated systems and support, that has become a flashpoint for both defense analysts and political critics.
The Indian Navy’s decision to go with the Rafale M came after extensive sea and shore-based trials in 2022, where it was evaluated against its chief rival, Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. Both aircraft were tested for compatibility with India’s Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) carriers, but Rafale M’s proven track record, logistical commonality with the Indian Air Force’s Rafales, and its all-round performance tilted the scales in its favor.
India currently operates about 40 Russian-made MiG-29K fighters, inducted between 2009 and 2014, which serve as the frontline naval fighters. These jets, however, have been marred by poor serviceability, high accident rates, and inconsistent spare parts—challenges compounded by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Currently, we have the MiG-29K… it is nearly 15 years old and the country of origin is at war, and so is not in a good position to provide operational support,” said retired Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Naval Staff, in an interview with NDTV.
The Rafale M is no slouch. A 4.5-generation multi-role fighter, it is equipped for air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and anti-ship missions. Its twin Safran M88 engines provide speeds up to Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of over 1,850 kilometers with external tanks. Its AESA radar, Spectra electronic warfare suite, and a wide array of precision-guided weapons—including the Meteor air-to-air, Exocet AM39 anti-ship, and SCALP cruise missiles—make it one of the most versatile non-stealth fighters in the world.
Moreover, India has negotiated for the integration of indigenous systems, including the Astra Mk1 missile and Rudram anti-radiation missile, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” policy. Modifications will be needed to adapt India’s carriers to the Rafale M’s wider wingspan and landing gear, but officials say those plans are already underway.
Despite the capabilities, the deal’s $7.5 billion cost has drawn scrutiny.
Compare this to:
F-35C Lightning II: $120–150 million base price; fully equipped units can go up to $250 million.
F/A-18 Super Hornet: $70–100 million per aircraft.
Su-35 (Russia): Around $85 million.
Critics argue that India is paying a premium for a 1990s-era design with limited stealth features, when fifth-generation options like the F-35C offer more advanced capabilities at similar or even lower total cost.
But supporters counter that this is not just about the planes. The cost covers infrastructure, simulators, a performance-based logistics program, weapons integration, and most importantly, a major technology transfer package. It includes the setting up of a Rafale fuselage production facility, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hubs for the aircraft’s engines and electronics.
“This is not an off-the-shelf purchase. We are buying capability, not just hardware,” said a senior official in India’s Ministry of Defence. “With Rafale M, we are also building long-term self-reliance.”
Beyond price tags and technical specs, the Rafale M acquisition is part of a larger geopolitical shift. India is recalibrating its defense posture in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s assertiveness is growing both in scale and sophistication.
Beijing now operates three aircraft carriers—Liaoning, Shandong, and the state-of-the-art Fujian—with more in development. These are backed by a growing fleet of carrier-based J-15 fighters and sophisticated naval systems. China’s presence in the Indian Ocean is further supported by its base in Djibouti, access to ports in Pakistan, and extensive submarine deployments.
According to Admiral Prakash, “The fact we’ve not seen a Chinese task force in our waters is because they lack air cover. But that won’t last. Once China has carrier strike groups operational with stealth-capable air wings, our deterrence will be tested.”
The Rafale M, in this context, is seen as a power projection tool. Its range, weapons load, and multirole versatility allow India to not just defend its coastlines but also dominate key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca and the Andaman Sea.
For France, the deal is not just an economic windfall—it’s a geopolitical statement. French President Emmanuel Macron has championed the idea of European defense autonomy, pushing back against over-dependence on U.S.-made systems like the F-35.
The Rafale, particularly its naval variant, has found traction in countries seeking strategic flexibility. Dassault recently secured orders from Indonesia (18 jets) and Serbia (12 jets), adding to a blockbuster $19 billion sale of 80 Rafales to the UAE in 2021.
Dassault’s export strategy relies on high-margin, tech-transfer-rich deals. In India’s case, the deal includes a 50% offset clause, meaning roughly $3.75 billion will be reinvested into India’s defense sector, creating jobs and stimulating domestic manufacturing.
For the U.S., India’s decision to pass over the F/A-18 and F-35C is a missed opportunity—though it’s unlikely to derail growing Indo-U.S. strategic ties. But it does show that American hardware no longer has a monopoly, especially among nations seeking independence from Western geopolitics.
Still, the Rafale M is not a fifth-generation jet. It lacks stealth shaping and sensor fusion seen in newer platforms. While its modular architecture allows for upgrades—India has requested improvements in radar warning receivers and electronic jammers—it remains an evolved product of the last century.
India’s long-term plan includes the Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), a homegrown 4.5-generation naval aircraft under development by DRDO, expected to debut in the mid-2030s. For the Air Force, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is envisioned as a stealth fifth-generation fighter but remains in early stages of prototyping.
In this light, the Rafale M is not a final destination but a bridge—a platform that fills a critical capability gap until India’s own designs mature.
The Rafale M deal also serves as a symbol of diplomatic trust. It builds on a 2016 contract for 36 Rafales for the Indian Air Force—a deal worth $8 billion that was embroiled in controversy but ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2019.
France and India have collaborated extensively on defense projects, from Mirage 2000 jets to Scorpene-class submarines. With France also helping India develop naval nuclear propulsion systems and collaborating on space technology, the Rafale M agreement further cements a strategic partnership.
This relationship contrasts with India’s wariness of conditionality in U.S. arms sales, which are subject to end-use monitoring and political oversight through laws like CAATSA. France, in contrast, offers “no strings attached” defense cooperation—an attractive feature for India’s quest for strategic autonomy.
By 2030, India will field 62 Rafales—36 for the Air Force and 26 for the Navy—offering not just advanced capabilities but also logistical synergy, joint training, and shared support systems.
Critics will continue to question the price. They will argue India could have invested the same amount in indigenous R&D or purchased a larger number of cheaper aircraft. They’re not wrong.
But in a region where control of the seas increasingly defines national power, India’s decision reflects a simple calculus: Better a proven, combat-ready fighter today than a theoretical stealth jet ten years from now.
As the global defense market tilts toward stealth, AI-enhanced systems, and unmanned platforms, the Rafale M might seem like a step sideways rather than forward. Yet, it may well be the best available answer to a pressing question: How does India secure its seas, deter its rivals, and remain future-ready—all at once?
