India:
India’s decision to procure 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy marks a significant strategic shift towards strengthening maritime air power, even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to await major fleet modernization. The deal, valued at nearly $6 billion, underscores India’s focus on securing its maritime interests amid rising tensions in the Indo Pacific region.
The Rafale-M jets will be deployed aboard India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, providing a long-awaited boost to its naval aviation capabilities. The move comes at a time when the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is expanding rapidly, with China commissioning new aircraft carriers and enhancing its blue-water presence. In this context, India’s naval forces need not only modern surface ships but also advanced air assets to project power and defend strategic sea lanes.
One key reason for this prioritisation is the current gap in carrier based air power. The aging MiG-29K fleet, currently serving as the Navy’s primary carrier-borne fighter, has faced persistent issues with maintenance and reliability. The Rafale-M, by contrast, brings proven performance, superior avionics, and compatibility with the short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) system used on Indian carriers.
Meanwhile, the IAF’s modernization has faced several delays. Though India inducted 36 Rafale fighters into the Air Force, the fleet remains below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The proposed acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) to replace aging MiG-21s and Jaguars has been caught in bureaucratic red tape and budgetary constraints. As a result, the Navy’s pressing operational needs and the availability of a ready-made solution in the Rafale-M made it a more immediate priority.
Additionally, India’s strategic shift toward a maritime first posture is evident in its broader security calculus. With over 90% of its trade by volume passing through the seas, and Chinese naval activity increasing near the Indian Ocean, maritime dominance has become non-negotiable. Acquiring the Rafale-M enhances India’s ability to deter threats, conduct surveillance, and engage in deep-strike missions from the sea.
The Rafale-M deal also fits into a larger vision of interoperability across the armed forces. With both the Air Force and Navy flying variants of the Rafale, logistics, training, and maintenance can be streamlined, enhancing operational synergy.
In conclusion, while the IAF continues to push for its long-overdue upgrades, India’s decision to bolster naval aviation with Rafale-M fighters reflects an urgent need to secure maritime interests and maintain regional deterrence in an evolving security landscape.
