India’s Navy is about to get an upgrade with 26 French-made Rafale jets, according to a new report. The deal, which could be worth a whopping Rs 63,000 crore, is a major boost for the Indian military and will be signed soon, possibly later this month. It’s a government-to-government agreement with France, and the jets will add a new edge to India’s naval capabilities.
NDTV reported that the deal includes a range of support services like fleet maintenance, logistics, training for personnel, and even the local manufacturing of components in India. But the order will take at least 5 years to be fulfilled, the report added.
The large order includes 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater variants, all of which will be based on INS Vikrant, India’s newest aircraft carrier. The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale jets, stationed at two bases in the northern part of the country.
According to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, the new jets will help India “negate” any threats in its area of operations and prepare the Navy for any challenges from neighboring countries. The new Rafales, which will be a marine variant, have the ability to perform the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refuelling maneuver. This allows one jet to refuel another in mid-air, making it possible for the fighters to stay airborne for longer periods.
The new fleet of Rafales will complement India’s existing MiG-29Ks, which will continue to operate from INS Vikramaditya, India’s older aircraft carrier. The report added that India is working on its own homegrown fifth-generation fighter jets, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These new jets are expected to become the naval version of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a project for the Air Force that’s already in development.
With the French Defence Minister set to visit India later this month, the deal is expected to be signed soon.
