NAVAL AVIATION ON A HIGH

India's acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine jets from France enhances its naval aviation might, ensures operational synergy with the IAF, and bridges capability gaps until the TEDBF is ready post-2035

- write ATUL CHANDRA

Indian Naval Aviation has received a powerful boost to its capabilities with the formal inking of the InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. The deal pegged at approximately 63,000 crore will involve the supply of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seaters) and includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL).

Interestingly, a DD NEWS report on the deal mentioned that the 'procurement serves as an interim solution until India develops its own carrier-borne fighter aircraft.' The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is progressing with the development of the Twin-Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is expected to be in the 4.5 generation category and be ready for service entry post-2035.

A part of the contracted value from the navy deal also includes additional equipment that will be supplied for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) existing Rafale fleet. This is the second Indian contract for the Rafale, with 36 aircraft being procured earlier as part of an IGA inked in September 2016, which included the supply of aircraft and long-term maintenance support, simulators along with 10 years of annual maintenance and associated equipment for ₹58,000 crore. Dassault delivered the first Rafale to the IAF in October 2019.

Building Capability Rafale M deliveries are slated to begin in 2028, with all 26 Rafales for the navy delivered by 2030. As per a report in the