India to Receive More than Two Dozen French Rafale Fighter Jets

Topic: SecurityBlog Brand: The BuzzRegion: AsiaTags: Dassault Rafale, France, India, Indian Navy, and MilitaryIndia to Receive More than Two Dozen French Rafale Fighter Jets April 30, 2025By: Peter SuciuShareShare this link on FacebookShare this page on X (Twitter)Share this link on LinkedInEmail a link to this pageIndia signed a $7.4 billion deal with France for carrier-capable Rafale jets, enhancing naval aviation and reducing reliance on aging Russian aircraft.The Indian government closed a deal with France on Monday that will see the Asian nation acquire twenty-six Dassault Rafale carrier-capable fighter aircraft, the Indian Ministry of Defense announced.

The Indian Navy will procure twenty-two Rafale M single-seat and four twin-seater Rafale trainer aircraft. The contract was valued at approximately $7.4 billion and will include omnivore fighters, training, simulators, weapons, performance-based logistics, and spares for the already in-service Rafale EH/DH aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).



According to a report from international analyst firm Janes, “the agreement also comprises a transfer of technology (ToT) to integrate domestically produced weapons with the Rafale M, [and] the setting up of a production facility in India to manufacture Rafale fuselages, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons.”Two Dozen Fighter Jets for India’s CarriersThe French-made Rafales will almost certainly be employed on at least one of the Indian Navy’s two aircraft carriers, replacing the aging Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29K (NATO reporting name Fulcrum-D). Delivery of the first Rafale M aircraft is expected in 2028, with the whole order to be completed by 2030.

The aircraft will serve on the INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy’s flagship and its first domestically produced aircraft carrier.Even as New Delhi and Moscow have retained close ties, India has expanded beyond Russia regarding aircraft, possibly a sign that it doesn’t believe the Kremlin can deliver promptly. The Russia-based Rostec has repeatedly courted India to co-produce the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57.

Still, India hasn’t expressed any serious interest in such a joint program.The Dassault Rafale was also selected over the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, which had been a leading contender in the Indian selection process. The French fighter won out based on superior maneuverability and more advanced radar.

At the same time, Rafale had an advantage as it was already operated by the IAF, which streamlined the capabilities for the Indian military.The Indian Navy will be the first foreign operator of the Rafale Marine variant. It formally entered service with the Marine Nationale (French Navy) in 2004.

“The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea,” the Indian MoD added.The first Indian Navy pilots will receive their training in France, with additional training on the Rafale to be completed in India.About the Rafales to be Sent to IndiaThe Dassault Rafale, which means literally “gust of wind,” or “burst of fire” in a more military sense, was initially conceived for use by the French Air Force and Navy as an “omnirole” fighter, meaning that it would replace seven types of combat aircraft in operation at the time of its development.

The new aircraft was developed to carry out a wide range of missions, including air defense/air superiority, anti-access/area denial, reconnaissance, close air support, dynamic targeting, air-to-ground precision strike/interdiction, anti-ship attacks, nuclear deterrence, and even buddy-buddy refueling.The Rafale entered service in 2001 and has been progressively equipped to more advanced standards. It was selected for purchase by the Egyptian Air Force, the Indian Air Force, the Qatar Air Force, the Hellenic Air Force, the Croatian Air Force, the Indonesian Air Force, and the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

The Rafale has been used in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria combat.About the Author: Peter SuciuPeter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs.

Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.

You can email the author: [email protected] Credit: Shutterstock/ Serge Goujon.

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