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India’s Rafale-Marine fighter jet deal targets China, Pakistan maritime challenges

Analysts say the new jets represent a major upgrade, replacing the ageing and accident-prone MiG-29K fleet on India’s aircraft carriers

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A Rafale jet fighter takes off from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Photo: AP
Junaid Kathju
India has signed a US$7.4 billion deal to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets from France, a move analysts said would strengthen the country’s maritime defence capabilities as it grapples with China’s expanding naval presence and renewed tensions with Pakistan.

The agreement was finalised on Monday in New Delhi, with Indian Defence Secretary Raj Kumar Singh and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou presiding over the signing ceremony.

The deal, which covers 22 single-seat carrier-based jets and four twin-seat trainer aircraft, received approval earlier this month from India’s Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Deliveries are slated to begin between 2028 and 2029, with the fleet expected to be fully operational by 2031 or 2032.

The Rafale-M jets represent a technological leap for the Indian Navy, according to foreign-affairs specialist Robinder Sachdev, bringing its carrier operations in line with the Indian Air Force’s upgraded capabilities.

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India had previously bought 36 Rafale fighters in 2016 under a deal worth around US$7.2 billion, deploying the jets to strategic airbases near its borders with Pakistan and China. The naval variant will now replace the ageing, accident-prone MiG-29K fleet aboard India’s two aircraft carriers: the INS Vikramaditya and the newly commissioned INS Vikrant.

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