India Nears $7.6B Rafale-M Deal Signing, Deemed Crucial for INS Vikrant's Operational Effectiveness despite High Per-jet Cost Debate

India is reportedly in the final stages of concluding a significant defence agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets. The deal, estimated at $7.6 billion, equates to a per-aircraft cost of approximately $292 million.

While this price point has generated discussion, the acquisition is viewed by officials as a critical strategic investment aimed at bolstering India's maritime strength and resolving a key capability gap for its naval forces.

The requirement for these advanced naval fighters became more pronounced following the commissioning of India's first indigenously constructed aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, on September 2, 2022.

This achievement showcased India's shipbuilding capabilities but simultaneously highlighted the pressing need for sufficient carrier-compatible aircraft to operate from its decks. The planned procurement of the Rafale-M fighters is intended directly to address this shortfall.

Currently, the Indian Navy operates a fleet of Russian-origin MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter jets. This fleet, originally 45 strong but reduced to 41 due to attrition, serves aboard both INS Vikrant and India's other carrier, INS Vikramaditya. Naval planners consider this number insufficient to effectively equip two operational aircraft carriers simultaneously.

Furthermore, the operational readiness of the existing MiG-29K fleet has reportedly been impacted by persistent issues, including challenges related to reliability, extensive maintenance requirements, and engine performance.

These factors have underscored the need for a modern, reliable carrier-borne fighter platform. Consequently, India initiated formal negotiations with France in July 2023 for the 26 Rafale-M jets, specifically designed for carrier operations.

Sources suggest that discussions covering the final cost and comprehensive after-sales support packages are now almost complete. The formal signing of the agreement is anticipated shortly.

Following the contract's finalisation, deliveries are expected to commence within 48 months, with the full squadron of 26 Rafale-M aircraft projected to be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2031, significantly enhancing the operational effectiveness of INS Vikrant and India's overall naval aviation capabilities.

 

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[Palakkad Madhavan]

Yes a giant leap in cost.

 

[sanket]

With limited option in Naval Variant Fighter Jet, but the story of MRFA would be different it will be between Su-57 / Rafale / Eurofighter whoever meets the MRFA conditions will be winner, I think with limited option & lack of Folding wings plus lack of Naval Trainer variant which operates from deck is another shortcomings in deal despite this only thing might be commonality as seen with 36+26 = 62 fighter jets maintaining with same platform rather than two different ones.

 

[ryan]

Yes a giant leap in cost.

State of the Art Capabilities doesn't come free or cheap

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

IN should consider buying limited amount naval tejas also... It will also help IN to boost capability... limited naval tejas order may be 15-20 nos should be given....

 

[R. Singh]

INS Vikrant need F-35B alongwith Rafale-M ! Rafale-M for fleet air defence and F-35B for attack !

 

[Sos]

We had 2 choices only: F-18 Hornet or Rafale.

F-18 might be slightly cheaper but if we include MRO, maintenance and other things, Rafale is more cost effective.

 

[SURESH RAO]

A waste tapporree deal because

1. An outdated 4th gen fighter jet
2. Outdated engine with 75 kN thrust. Not suitable even for 4th gen fighter jets.
3. Outdated 4th gen airframe. Not stealth
4. No folding wings
5. Some outdated missiles
6. Will carry no Indian missiles
7. Outdated AESA radar. India has GAN AESA radar
8. No internal weapons bay
9. Future upgrade very, very, very expensive
10. Avionics and ECM almost getting outdated
11. It is only a theoretical fighter jet. Not tested in highly contested airspace
12. Lack of Naval Trainer variant with operation on deck
13. Each tapporree should not cost more than $75 million
14. It has not been tested in contested airspace
15. A cheat country who is always on the look to cheat India
16. India, the only bakra

In addition, what about offsets? What about 100% production line in India?

We don't need their Snecma M88 75 kN engine technology, because this is outdated. Can they produce a higher thrust engine? The answer will be no. For that, they want Indian funds.

 

[Sandeep]

A waste tapporree deal because

1. An outdated 4th gen fighter jet
2. Outdated engine with 75 kN thrust. Not suitable even for 4th gen fighter jets.
3. Outdated 4th gen airframe. Not stealth
4. No folding wings
5. Some outdated missiles
6. Will carry no Indian missiles
7. Outdated AESA radar. India has GAN AESA radar
8. No internal weapons bay
9. Future upgrade very, very, very expensive
10. Avionics and ECM almost getting outdated
11. It is only a theoretical fighter jet. Not tested in highly contested airspace
12. Lack of Naval Trainer variant with operation on deck
13. Each tapporree should not cost more than $75 million
14. It has not been tested in contested airspace
15. A cheat country who is always on the look to cheat India
16. India, the only bakra

In addition, what about offsets? What about 100% production line in India?

We don't need their Snecma M88 75 kN engine technology, because this is outdated. Can they produce a higher thrust engine? The answer will be no. For that, they want Indian funds.

The jet is a very advanced semi stealth jet with very advanced equipment and technology which is better than even the fake Chinese stealth jets. Also 4.5th generation jets will still be used at least until the end of the century as they are cheaper to operate and doesn’t have expensive maintenance and additional costs.

The Rafale jets purchase cost includes its upkeep and maintenance, parts, spares and weapons for the next 30-40 years. Also they will be upgrading the air force Rafale jets as well to improve its combat capabilities etc. So it’s not that much of an expensive deal after breaking down the whole costs.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that they have been selected as it quoted the lowest price outdoing all other country’s prices and it’s based on it’s technology, equipment, capabilities and weapons it uses for the next 30-40 years.

The jet is also better than the fake Chinese stealth fighters like the J20 where our 25yr old Sukhoi jets can pick them up using the radar and IRST.

 

[SURESH RAO]

The jet is a very advanced semi stealth jet with very advanced equipment and technology which is better than even the fake Chinese stealth jets. Also 4.5th generation jets will still be used at least until the end of the century as they are cheaper to operate and doesn’t have expensive maintenance and additional costs.

The Rafale jets purchase cost includes its upkeep and maintenance, parts, spares and weapons for the next 30-40 years. Also they will be upgrading the air force Rafale jets as well to improve its combat capabilities etc. So it’s not that much of an expensive deal after breaking down the whole costs.

It is a 4th gen Fighter Jet. And you call it advanced. And they are selling it at a very very very high price. You cannot call it advance

The first delivery is going to happen after 48 months. By that time J35 will go much ahead. Don't under estimate Chinese. France is lagging China in all aspects.

Are we going to project this 4th gen Fighter Jet against J35. After paying a huge amount for these 26 4th gen

Take my word here. After 3 years Indians will repent for buying these 4th gen jets for such a high price. We did a big blunder in 2015. And all we see is now the repurcussions of that arrogant blunder.

Manohar Parrikar defended the price for one year (2015-2016). He asked them to bring the price down. But Parrikar was forced to agree with their price from above. Those days the story was different. There was full of arrogance above.

Do you think that Parrikar was inferior to the above arrogant one. He was more patriotic and more capable than the buffn

 

[SURESH RAO]

This is indirectly helping China by buying 4th gen Fighter Jet at exhorbitant price. The Chinese will laugh at our Atma Nirbhar capability. China will be very happy that big Indian money is going to buy 4th gen tapporrees.

China doesn't need J35 or J20 to counter Tapporree Rafale. China will use J11 and J15 to counter the tapporreees.

Can anybody guess what is the R&D budget of China for the last 10 years. And what will be France's.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Masterstroke by the current govt. We will have marine fighters by 2032. China and Pak are wetting their pants hearing Bharat is buying world's best fighters for Indian Navy.

 

[Mythbuster]

A single 4th gen 1980's design aircraft with no stealth for 2500+ crore & that too in 2030. We gonna regret this decision.