Boosting India-France Defence Partnership Through Rafale

India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 single-seater and four twin-seater) for the Indian Navy on April 28, 2025. With a price tag of Rs 63,000 crore ($ 7.4 billion), manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment.

The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. In line with the Government’s thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors, and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for many MSMEs in setting up, producing and running of these facilities.

The Indian Navy’s 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale used by the IAF and makes India the first country other than France to operate both versions. The first Rafale-M will be delivered by 2028-29 with deliveries completed by 2030, according to a report.

The first India-specific Rafale-M will be showcased in 18 months. Four of the 26 Rafales will be twin seat DH trainer versions and will be restricted to the shore, given the lack of an Indian carrier capable to support the Rafale-M. The remaining 22 are expected to be deployed onboard INS Vikrant. For the Rafale to fit on the compact aircraft elevators of INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, modifications to the wingtip are reportedly required.

In line with the Government’s thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors, and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for many MSMEs in setting up, producing and running of these facilities

Key Features and Modifications for Carrier Operations

1. Reinforced Airframe: The Rafale-M features a strengthened airframe to withstand the immense stresses associated with catapult launches (on CATOBAR carriers, though the Indian Navy uses STOBAR) and arrested landings on short carrier decks.
2. Stronger Landing Gear: The landing gear is significantly more robust to absorb the high impact of carrier landings. The nose wheel is also often longer and reinforced.
3. Arrestor Hook: A prominent tailhook is fitted to allow the aircraft to engage with the arresting wires on the carrier deck, bringing it to a rapid stop.
4. “Jump Strut” Nosewheel: For STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) operations, like those used by Indian carriers with ski-jumps, the Rafale-M has a nosewheel strut that extends during take-off. This provides the optimal nose-up angle for a safe climb off the ski-jump.
5. Folding Wings: To conserve space on the crowded carrier deck and in the hangar, the Rafale-M is equipped with foldable wings. This allows for more efficient storage and movement of aircraft on the carrier.
6. Improved Corrosion Resistance: Naval aircraft are exposed to harsh maritime environments, including saltwater and sea breeze. The Rafale-M incorporates additional corrosion protection measures.
7. Carrier-Based Microwave Landing System: It includes specific sensors and systems to aid in precise approaches and landings on aircraft carriers.
8. Built-in Ladder: A self-contained ladder allows pilots to enter and exit the aircraft without external ground equipment, crucial for independent operations on a carrier.

The first India-specific Rafale-M will be showcased in 18 months. Four of the 26 Rafales will be twin seat DH trainer versions and will be restricted to the shore, given the lack of an Indian carrier capable to support the Rafale-M. The remaining 22 are expected to be deployed onboard INS Vikrant. For the Rafale to fit on the compact aircraft elevators of INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, modifications to the wingtip are reportedly required

Capabilities of Rafale-M

The Rafale-M retains the “omni role” capabilities of its land-based counterparts, meaning it can perform a wide range of missions during a single sortie:

1. Air Superiority and Air defence: It is equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles like the MBDA Meteor and MICA, and a powerful AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar (RBE2-AA), with which it can effectively engage enemy aircraft.
2. Ground Attack: It can carry a variety of air-to-ground munitions, including precision-guided bombs and cruise missiles like the SCALP.
3. Anti-Ship Strike: It can be armed with anti-ship missiles like the MBDA AM39 Exocet.
4. Reconnaissance: It can carry specialised reconnaissance pods for intelligence gathering.
5. Nuclear Deterrence: The Rafale can carry nuclear weapons
6. Close Air Support: It can provide air support to ground troops.

Overall, Rafale-M stands out as a highly capable and modern carrier-based multirole fighter, particularly excelling in air-to-air combat with its advanced radar and Meteor missile, as well as offering potent strike capabilities. Its selection by the Indian Navy over the F/A-18 Super Hornet highlights the importance of factors like integrated IRST, BVR missile superiority, and commonality with the existing Rafale fleet

Comparison to its Key Counterparts

Strengths of Rafale-M over Super Hornet (USA)

1. The Rafale-M generally has a better instantaneous and sustained turn rate, and higher G-load limits (+9G vs +7.5G).
2. Radar Cross-Section (RCS) and Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): It likely has a lower frontal RCS and better ECM capabilities, potentially giving it the first look in BVR engagements.
3. Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile: The Meteor missile on the Rafale-M outranges the AIM-120 AMRAAM used by the Super Hornet.
4. Integrated IRST: The Rafale-M has an integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, crucial for detecting stealthy targets, which the latest Super Hornet Block III lacks as an integrated feature (it’s pod-mounted, with limitations).
5. Super cruise: The Rafale-M can super cruise comfortably, giving its missiles a higher launch energy.
6. Commonality with IAF: For India, the Rafale-M shares significant commonality in weapons, maintenance, and training with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale C/B, offering logistical and cost advantage.

Strengths of Rafale- M over MiG-29K (Russia)

• Radar: The Rafale-M’s AESA radar (RBE2-AA) is significantly more advanced than the MiG-29K’s mechanically scanned Zhuk-ME radar, offering longer detection ranges and better multi-target tracking.
• Sensors: The integrated IRST on the Rafale-M provides a crucial advantage in detecting stealthy threats, a capability lacking in the MiG-29K.
• Weaponry: The Rafale-M can carry a more modern and diverse array of weapons, including the long-range Meteor, SCALP cruise missile, and Exocet anti-ship missile, offering superior BVR and strike capabilities compared to the MiG-29K’s typical armament (R-77, Kh-35). The Rafale-M will also integrate India’s indigenous Astra missile.
• Reliability and Serviceability: The MiG-29K has faced significant issues with engine failures, spare parts shortages, and low serviceability rates in Indian service. The Rafale-M has a better reliability track record with the French Navy, and India’s deal includes establishing maintenance facilities.

The induction of the Rafale-M will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime air power, providing a modern and potent multirole fighter for its carrier fleet, replacing the aging MiG-29K aircraft which have faced serviceability issues. The commonality with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet in terms of avionics, weapons, and some maintenance aspects will also offer logistical and operational advantages

Overall, Rafale-M stands out as a highly capable and modern carrier-based multirole fighter, particularly excelling in air-to-air combat with its advanced radar and Meteor missile, as well as offering potent strike capabilities. Its selection by the Indian Navy over the F/A-18 Super Hornet highlights the importance of factors like integrated IRST, BVR missile superiority, and commonality with the existing Rafale fleet.

Compared to the MiG-29K, the Rafale-M represents a significant technological leap in almost all aspects, addressing the reliability and capability gaps of the aging Russian platform. While it may have some trade-offs compared to other aircraft (like the Super Hornet’s broader weapon options or the F-35C’s stealth), the Rafale-M offers a compelling balance of performance, advanced technology, and multirole flexibility for modern carrier operations

The Rafale-M was chosen after extensive trials, where it demonstrated its compatibility with the STOBAR operations of Indian carriers, outperforming the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The induction of the Rafale-M will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime air power, providing a modern and potent multirole fighter for its carrier fleet, replacing the aging MiG-29K aircraft which have faced serviceability issues. The commonality with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet in terms of avionics, weapons, and some maintenance aspects will also offer logistical and operational advantages.

Dr Mathew Sinu Simon

–The writer is Assistant Professor, ICFAI School of Liberal Arts, ICFAI University, Jaipur. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda