A New Era for Indian Naval Aviation The Indian Navy and Dassault Aviation are on the verge of finalizing a significant deal for the procurement of 26 Rafale M fighter jets. This marks a crucial step forward in India’s defense modernization plans, as it seeks to enhance its naval aviation capabilities and secure its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
The deal comes as part of India’s broader ambition to strengthen its air power, with Dassault Aviation also eyeing another contract to supply 114 fighters under the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project. Should both deals be finalized, India could soon emerge as the second-largest operator of Rafale jets globally, after France.
Rafale M: A Critical Addition to India’s Naval Fleet
The Rafale M, a naval version of Dassault Aviation’s multi-role fighter aircraft, is set to become a key asset for the Indian Navy. Designed specifically for carrier-based operations, the Rafale M will replace the aging fleet of MiG-29Ks currently in service, providing a much-needed technological upgrade.
The Indian Navy has long required new fighter jets to operate from its aircraft carriers. The induction of the 26 Rafale M fighters will coincide with the arrival of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, further enhancing the Navy’s combat capabilities. While this is a major acquisition, the Navy’s needs could expand further if a second aircraft carrier is commissioned before the domestically developed Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is ready for deployment.
A Game-Changer for India’s Air Power
Dassault Aviation’s hope that India will become the second-largest operator of Rafale jets seems increasingly realistic. Currently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates 36 Rafale aircraft alongside 50 Mirage-2000 jets, which have been in service since the 1980s. The IAF is already benefiting from the Rafale’s advanced avionics, weapons systems, and overall performance.
Should Dassault secure the contract to supply 114 additional fighters under the MRFA program, India’s Rafale fleet would expand to 176 jets. This would bring India close to the French Air Force, which operates 185 Rafales, while the French Navy maintains a fleet of 46 Rafale M fighters. If additional orders for 31 Rafale M fighters materialize, India could soon surpass even the French Navy in terms of Rafale M ownership.
Dassault Aviation’s projections for 2040 suggest that India could become the largest operator of Rafale M fighters, especially as its naval requirements continue to grow. This aligns with India’s broader vision of becoming a maritime power, with the Navy playing a pivotal role in securing regional and global sea lanes.
Dassault Aviation’s Expansion in India: MRO Facility in Uttar Pradesh
Dassault Aviation’s relationship with India is set to deepen with the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Uttar Pradesh. This facility will not only support the Indian Air Force’s existing fleet of Mirage-2000s and Rafales but also serve as a regional hub for maintaining French-origin aircraft in India.
The MRO facility represents a strategic move for Dassault Aviation as it looks to cement its position in India’s defense landscape. With the Indian Air Force’s long-standing dependence on Mirage-2000s, which were inducted in the 1980s, and the more recent acquisition of Rafales, the MRO facility will play a crucial role in ensuring operational readiness and longevity for these advanced platforms. The Uttar Pradesh facility also signifies a broader trend of defense cooperation between India and France, with Paris positioning itself as a key partner in India’s efforts to modernize its armed forces.
Rafale: A Combat-Proven Aircraft with Global Impact
The Rafale, despite its slow start in securing international buyers, has evolved into one of the most sought-after multi-role fighter jets in the world. Initially, it struggled to find customers, with only Egypt and Qatar placing relatively small orders. The aircraft’s steep price tag was a significant barrier to its adoption by countries like Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Singapore, and Switzerland, all of which opted for other alternatives.
However, the Rafale’s fortunes took a dramatic turn in 2012 when the Indian Air Force selected it over the Eurofighter Typhoon in a high-profile competition. India’s decision was a game-changer for Dassault Aviation, leading to a windfall of orders, including a landmark deal with the UAE for 80 Rafales.
The Rafale has since proven itself in various conflict zones, from Afghanistan and Libya to Syria and Mali. In 2013, it completed its longest mission to date, a nine-hour-and-thirty-five-minute operation in Mali, underscoring its endurance and versatility. The Rafale has never been shot down in combat, a testament to its superior performance and advanced defensive systems.
Capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, the Rafale is equipped with cutting-edge weaponry, including the long-range air-to-air Meteor missile, the Beyond Visual Range air-to-air MICA, the SCALP long-range standoff missile, and the AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile. These capabilities make it a force multiplier for any military, and Indian Air Force officials have defended its cost by emphasizing the weapons package that comes with the aircraft.
India’s Strategic Need for Rafale and Its Complementary Weaponry
The decision to invest in the Rafale has not been without controversy in India, particularly regarding the high cost of the aircraft. Critics have questioned whether the price is justified, but senior military officials have argued that the capabilities offered by the Rafale, particularly its advanced weapons systems, are worth the investment.
A retired Indian Air Force officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “India had nothing to counter Pakistan’s AMRAAM [Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile]. The Rafale, equipped with MICA and Meteor missiles, provides us with a much-needed counter to AMRAAM, while the SCALP missile allows us to strike targets well outside enemy air defense envelopes.”
These capabilities have proven essential for India, given the increasingly complex security dynamics in the region, especially concerning Pakistan and China. The Rafale’s long-range standoff missiles enable the Indian Air Force to strike critical targets from a safe distance, minimizing the risk to its pilots and aircraft.
India-France Defense Ties: Beyond Rafale
The Rafale deal is part of a broader and deepening defense partnership between India and France. The two nations are working together to promote a multipolar world order, where both prioritize autonomy and strategic independence in their defense policies. French President Emmanuel Macron’s doctrine of being “allied but not aligned” resonates with India’s approach to “multi-alignment,” where it seeks partnerships with multiple global powers without being tied to any one bloc.
In addition to fighter jets, the upcoming strategic dialogue between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and France’s Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne will include discussions on building nuclear attack submarines. France’s offer of 100 percent transfer of technology for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines and advanced underwater drones will also be key topics of discussion.
This growing partnership reflects India’s increasing focus on boosting its defense capabilities, particularly in light of China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific. For India, enhancing its submarine fleet and acquiring cutting-edge uncrewed systems from France are crucial steps toward securing its maritime interests.
France’s Role in India’s Submarine and Uncrewed Systems Development
India has long sought to enhance its submarine fleet to counterbalance China’s expanding naval power. The French offer to assist India in building nuclear attack submarines has provided a significant boost to India’s indigenous submarine development program. France’s expertise in this domain is expected to help India fill critical capability gaps and deter potential adversaries in the region.
In addition to submarines, France has offered India a range of uncrewed systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions across the air, surface, and underwater domains. These technologies will play a vital role in enhancing India’s situational awareness and response capabilities in the maritime domain, particularly in contested regions like the Indian Ocean.
Safran’s 100% Technology Transfer Offer: A New Chapter in India’s AMCA Project
Another major development in India-France defense ties is the offer by Safran, a French aerospace engine manufacturer, to transfer 100 percent technology for 110 KN engines. Safran’s Chairman, Ross McInnes, made this offer during a visit to India in September, signaling the company’s commitment to helping India develop advanced engines for its future fighter jet projects, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This offer goes beyond just manufacturing and includes training Indian engineers in advanced metallurgy and other critical skills. The co-developed engine would become sovereign Indian property, allowing India to export it to other nations without restrictions.
The impending deal between the Indian Navy and Dassault Aviation for 26 Rafale M fighters represents a pivotal moment in India’s defense modernization efforts. With the potential to secure additional orders for the Indian Air Force under the MRFA program, Dassault Aviation is poised to become a key partner in India’s quest for air superiority.
Moreover, the deepening defense ties between India and France, encompassing everything from fighter jets to submarines and uncrewed systems, reflect the strategic convergence between the two nations. As they continue to collaborate on cutting-edge defense technologies, India is well on its way to achieving greater self-reliance in defense and securing its position as a regional and global power.
