Eye on China: How Rafale-M will add muscle to India's maritime prowess

The Rafale-Marine is a proven fighter already used by the French Navy-Representative photo.

Amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has inked a Rs 63,000 crore ($7.4 billion) deal with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for its Navy.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reportedly cleared the government-to-government deal for 22 single-seat Rafale M fighters and four twin-seat trainers this month.

The delivery will begin in 2028-29, and is set to be completed by 2030, the Navy’s press release on Monday stated.

India will be procuring the jets from French defence major Dassault Aviation for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Currently, the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant operate with the Russian Mikoyan MiG-29K fighter aircraft.

The Rafale-Marine is a proven fighter already used by the French Navy. It is a French twin-engine, “omnirole” fighter aircraft most hailed for its versatility. According to Dassault’s website, the Rafale’s mission capabilities include air-defence and air-superiority; reconnaissance, nuclear deterrence, air-to-ground precision strike, close air support, anti-ship attacks and buddy-buddy refuelling.

It has been specifically designed to operate from 40,000-tonne class aircraft carriers. The aircraft is deployed on the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Rafale-M features a longer, reinforced nose and a strengthened undercarriage for carrier operations and is built to complement India's naval fleet. The Rafale C is optimised for land-based operations, where the aircraft can take advantage of the large airstrips and logistical support available.

According to reports, analysts liken the Rafale M to a Swiss Army Knife to carry out a diverse range of missions in a single sortie. It also possesses RBE2-M radar systems which are optimised for maritime operations. It is also equipped with the Thales SPECTRA electronic warfare suite and a wider range of weapons which also include anti-ship missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

It can also carry the SCALP - a combat-proven, air-launched missile developed by a European firm that can strike hardened targets over 250km away with extreme precision. It has been used in various conflicts worldwide, including the Iraq war and in Libya.

Both versions of Rafale are equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors. However, the weapons on the Rafale-Marine are specifically adapted for maritime missions, including anti-ship missiles and air-to-air missiles capable of engaging targets in a naval environment. Due to these modifications, the Rafale M is also slightly heavier than the air force Rafale.

The Rafale-M will strengthen the Indian Navy’s capabilities against China.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is the new theatre of great power competition. With the Rafale M operating from both Vikramaditya and Vikrant, India can dominate chokepoints, curb submarine threats and enable joint operations. France, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and others already operate Rafales.

“Its versatility extends beyond the seas, with the ability to operate from IAF bases along India’s northern borders, bolstering the IAF’s Rafale fleet. This dual-role capability ensures India can project power across multiple fronts, from maritime chokepoints like the Malacca Strait to contested Himalayan borders, countering China’s carrier-driven power projection and Pakistan’s asymmetric naval threats,” a senior defence official told India Today.

The 4.5-generation fighter jet is also equipped with advanced avionics, upgraded radar, cutting-edge electronic warfare systems, and improved dogfighting capabilities. Rafale-M is also lighter and more maneuverable than China’s J-15 fighters, which operate from its aircraft carriers.