On April 28, the Ministry of Defense in India signed a contract with France worth around 6.53 billion euros for the purchase of a further 26 Rafale naval jets. The manufacturer Dassault Aviation confirmed that the Indian Navy will be the first user of the Rafale-M carrier-based version outside France. The country is also considering the purchase of 40 additional machines.
The contract already approved by the Indian Security Cabinet previously approved contract includes 22 single-seat and four two-seat aircraft as well as training programs, equipment, weapons and logistical support. Delivery is scheduled to be completed within 37 to 65 months.
The intergovernmental agreement also includes a technology transfer and the integration of Indian components, including for the deployment of MICA missiles. Crew training will take place in both India and France. In addition, Dassault Aviation is considering setting up a final assembly line in India to meet the growing demand for production.
The current order backlog for the Rafale amounts to 230 aircraft – 164 of which are for export customers (for example 80 jets for the UAE) and 56 for the French Air Force.
Replacement for the MiG-29K on India’s aircraft carriers
The new Rafale-Ms are destined for India’s two aircraft carriers “INS Vikrant” and “INS Vikramaditya”.
There they are to replace the MiG-29K/KUB, which are currently in service with carrier squadrons 300 (“White Tigers”) and 303 (“Black Panthers”). According to reports from India, the MiG-29Ks have been particularly disappointing in terms of availability and reliability, although the basic type is being used successfully in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Another 40 Rafale planned for the Indian Air Force
At the same time, India is also planning to strengthen its air force with 40 additional Rafale aircraft. In view of the structural deficit – currently around 29 squadrons instead of the planned 42 – Air Marshal A. P. Singh says that 35 to 40 fighter jets should be procured each year as a matter of urgency to compensate for the retirement of old jets.
The planned increase in the Rafale fleet (currently 36 aircraft in service) is also a consequence of the growing competition with China and the renewed tense relationship with Pakistan (particularly over Kashmir), -> New old trouble spot between India and Pakistan). At the same time, India’s procurement policy is increasingly shifting: arms imports from Russia are being replaced by supplies from Israel and France.
The current contract for the 26 Rafale naval jets is to form the basis for the planned expansion. On this occasion, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu also travelled to India to negotiate further defense cooperation, for example in the area of helicopter engines.
Rafale: a powerful and versatile platform
Regardless of political considerations, the Rafale has proven to be an extremely versatile platform, as confirmed by missions in Syria, Libya and Mali. Despite its lack of stealth characteristics, it offers a combination of advanced technologies, including a modern AESA radar and an IRST system (infrared search and targeting system).
With up to 9 tons of armament on 14 pylons (naval version: 13), it can carry a wide arsenal, including:
- Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles,
- MICA missiles with radar or infrared seeker head,
- AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles,
- SCALP-EG cruise missiles and
- Precision bombs AASM Hammer (up to 1,000 kilograms).
The Rafale is also capable of deploying the nuclear-tipped ASMP-A cruise missile. In the Rafale F5 version currently under development, it will also carry the fourth-generation hypersonic nuclear missile, ASN4G (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération) – capabilities which, however, remain the exclusive preserve of France.
The new F5 version is intended to significantly improve networking and cooperation with unmanned escort systems in particular. The French Air Force is currently flying the F3R version and is gradually switching to the F4 standard. The F5 – often referred to as the “Super Rafale” should be operational by 2030. It is seen as a clear response to the dominance of the F-35 and is primarily aimed at countries that want to avoid one-sided dependence on the USA and – apart from the special case of India – are not seeking security policy proximity to Russia.
The Rafale F5 could also play a role in the planned replacement procurement for the Eurofighter in Austria from 2032.
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