India signs contract to procure Rafale M fighter aircraft

The India Navy's initial contract for the Rafale M naval fighter aircraft covers the acquisition of 22 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft. (Dassault)

The Indian government has signed an agreement with the French government to procure 26 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy.

The Intergovernmental agreement (IGA), which was signed on 28 April, covers India's procurement of 22 Rafale M single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale trainer aircraft, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The contract, which is valued at INR630 billion (USD7.3 billion) according to Indian media reports, also includes training, simulators, associated equipment, weapons, and performance-based logistics. It also includes “additional equipment” for the in-service Rafale EH/DH fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The MoD has said that the agreement also comprises a transfer of technology (ToT) to integrate domestically produced weapons with the Rafale M. Also included is the setting up of a production facility in India to manufacture Rafale fuselages, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons.

Delivery of the 26 aircraft will be completed by 2030, the MoD said, adding that flight crews will be trained in France and India.

Similiar capabilities

The Rafale M is similar to the IAF's 36 Rafale EH/DHs in performance and specifications. According to Janes data, the Rafale M has 80% structural and equipment commonality with the Rafale E, and about 95% systems commonality. However, the Rafale M has a smaller payload-carrying capacity of 6,000 kg, compared with the 9,500 kg payload-carrying capacity of the Rafale EH.

The Rafale M is also 610 kg heavier than the land-based Rafale EH. Janes