Rafale M Deal: India and France are set to sign an agreement on April 28 for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine(M) fighter jets. The deal is exclusively for the Indian Navy and will be signed in the presence of French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu. The deal is worth around ₹63,000 crore. It includes 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat aircraft.
The French Defence Minister will arrive in India on Sunday evening and return late Monday evening. Senior officials from both sides will represent their respective countries during the signing ceremony.
Pakistan on Alert
The deal is expected to give a big blow to Pakistan, especially in terms of naval strength, as these jets will be deployed on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
Out of the 26 Rafale M jets being bought from France, 22 will be single-seaters, while the remaining 4 twin-seaters will be used for training purposes. These fighter jets are capable of short sorties, making them ideal for deployment on aircraft carriers.
Rafale M Deal Includes Training, Maintenance, and More
Rafale M is a multi-role fighter aircraft. Apart from India and China, no other country in South Asia currently has aircraft carriers. The induction of these aircraft will make India better prepared to deal with challenges posed by China, Pakistan and the emerging situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The deal also includes offset provisions, which will give a significant boost to India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The package includes maintenance and logistical support as well as training for naval personnel – including training in operations and maintenance.
Once the deal is completed, the Indian Navy will have modern and advanced fighter jets deployed on aircraft carriers, enhancing its overall combat capabilities at sea.
What Makes the Rafale M Fighter Jet Special?
The Rafale M is a highly advanced, multi-purpose fighter aircraft with impressive specifications and combat capabilities. It is 50.1 feet long and can be flown by one or two pilots. Weighing just 15,000 kg, it is relatively lightweight, which adds to its agility.
The aircraft has a fuel capacity of around 11,202 kg, allowing for a long flight duration. It can reach speeds of 2,205 km/h and has an operational range of 3,700 km. The Rafale M can fly up to an altitude of 52,000 feet.
Armed with a 30mm autocannon, the Rafale M has 14 hardpoints for weapons. It can carry a combination of the following:
- Three types of air-to-air missiles
- Seven types of air-to-surface missiles
- A nuclear missile
These can be loaded individually or in mixed configurations based on mission requirements.
Its AESA radar provides top-level target identification and tracking capabilities. The jet is also equipped with the SPECTRA electronic warfare system, which gives it stealth flying capabilities. Mid-air refuelling further increases its combat range, making it ideal for long missions.
The induction of Rafale M jets will give the Indian Navy enhanced capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike missions at sea. It is particularly effective in anti-ship warfare and can be armed with precision-guided bombs and missiles such as the Meteor, Scalp and Exocet.
The arrival of Rafale M will significantly enhance India’s defence capabilities in the air, sea and land, helping the Navy create an invisible shield around the country’s maritime borders.
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