India’s request for 26 Rafale Naval Jets from France – Defence News

India has submitted a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale naval configured jets. This request marks the continuation of a strategic partnership between the two nations and signifies India’s commitment to strengthening its naval aviation capabilities. The French DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) defense procurement agency is now tasked with facilitating the contract negotiations, thereby advancing this significant defence agreement.

The beginning of this particular deal can be traced back to an announcement made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France in July. The occasion was France’s Bastille Day celebrations, where the Indian Prime Minister revealed the intent to procure these advanced naval fighter jets. The formal LoR was submitted a few days ago, officially initiating the negotiation process.

This request is noteworthy as it follows the successful delivery of 36 Rafale aircraft to India in the previous year. The Indian government’s decision to select the Navy Rafale as the preferred choice to equip the Indian Navy with a state-of-the-art fighter was a testament to the aircraft’s capabilities and the strategic significance of this partnership.

The LoR itself serves as a critical document in this process. It essentially outlines the specific requirements and capabilities that the Indian government seeks in the Rafale Marine aircraft to be acquired. It is important to highlight that this is a government-to-government deal, underlining the commitment and trust between the two nations.

The decision to pursue this agreement has been driven by a comprehensive evaluation process. An international competition initiated by the Indian authorities was followed by a rigorous trial campaign held here in India. During these trials, the Navy Rafale proved its ability to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Navy, demonstrating its suitability for deployment on the country’s aircraft carriers.

Rafale Marine for Indian Navy

These 26 Rafale jets are intended to augment India’s existing fleet of 36, which has already proven to be highly satisfactory for the Indian Air Force. This strategic choice positions India as the first country to operate both versions of the aircraft. This move not only bolsters India’s air capabilities but also enhances its maritime power projection, reinforcing its sovereignty and strategic position in the region.

Following the announcement in July, Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, expressed his gratitude and commitment to meeting the Indian Navy’s expectations. He remarked, “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of our partnership with the Indian Forces, I would like to thank the Indian authorities for this new mark of confidence.”

The acquisition of these Rafale aircraft is pivotal for the Indian Navy, especially in the context of its two aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. These carriers have been operating MiG-29s and now require the advanced capabilities of the Rafale for their operations. The integration of indigenous missiles, including the Astra air-to-air missile, is among the requests that India will make as part of this agreement with France.

The financial aspect of this deal is substantial, with an estimated value of around Euro 5.5 billion. The clearance for this acquisition was granted by the defence acquisition council just prior to the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to France for the Bastille Day parade in July. The proposed arrangement entails the Indian Navy receiving 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft in addition to four trainer aircraft. These assets will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities and readiness.

The urgency of this acquisition is evident in the fast-track mode in which the Indian Navy and government are working to expedite the signing of the acquisition contract. The timely deployment of these highly capable aircraft on Indian carriers is essential to maintain an edge for New Delhi in the Indian Ocean region, where strategic interests and security considerations are of paramount importance.