How Rafale-Marine deal is a game-changer

Signing of the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) between India and France for 26 Rafale-Marine naval fighter jets goes beyond the usual buyer-seller deal for military hardware.

IGA expands the relationship. It has a clause on transfer of technology on integrating India-made missiles. Also, the plane maker, Dassault Aviation, will set up a production facility for making parts of the jet’s body in India, along with a maintenance hub of engines, sensors, etc, providing an impetus to India’s aviation aspirations.

The Rs 64,000-crore deal — deliveries of the jets will commence from 2028 and conclude in 2030 — was signed in New Delhi on April 28.

Operationally, the jets will expand the arc of offensive operations at sea. The Rafale-M is a significant fighter jet upgrade for the country’s naval forces since the Russian-origin MiG 29-K joined the fleet in 2011. Some 40 of these Russian jets operate from both the Indian Navy carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

What are the new capabilities

The Rafale-Marine will have a combat radius of 1,000 km. Since it will take off and land on the deck of an aircraft carrier, its radius would be effective from where the carrier is sailing at sea. It carries specialised sensors and multiple capabilities to carry the long-range air-to-air missile named the ‘Meteor’; the air-to-air missile ‘Mica’ that allows ‘beyond visual range’ (BVR) interception, combat and self-defence missiles.

The jet can also carry precision weapons called the ‘Hammer’, besides the ‘Scalp’ long-range stand-off missile. Like all naval jets, it has reinforced landing gears. A jet landing on an aircraft carrier mid-sea does not have the luxury of a long runaway to stall, hence the landing gear needs to be restrained — using specialised pylons — on the ship deck to stall it.

Like the Navy’s existing fighter jets, MiG 29K, the Rafale-M features foldable wings — this allows for more planes to be stored as 25 per cent of each wing gets folded. On a carrier, jets are stored in a hanger below the deck.

What are the gains for India?

Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Its procurement will streamline training and logistics as both planes are identical.

The deal includes weapons, simulator, spares, associated ancillary equipment, crew training and logistics support. The IGA includes transfer of technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of a production facility for the Rafale fuselage as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India.

The transfer of technology for integration of Indian weapons will include India’s own Astra missile, that will also enable sourcing from local suppliers and also aid in self-reliance. The Astra has already been integrated with the Sukhoi 30-MKI jets of the IAF.

The IGA also includes additional equipment for the existing fleet of 36 Rafale jets of the IAF.