NEW DELHI : The Government of India has formally approached France to request the supply of 31 additional Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets, expanding on the 26 aircraft contracted in April 2025. If the proposal is finalized, the Indian Navy’s total fleet of Rafale-M fighters will reach 57 aircraft, exceeding the approximately 41 naval Rafales currently operated by France.
The initial agreement signed in April 2025 covered 26 Rafale-M aircraft at an estimated cost of ₹63,000 crore (approximately $7.6 billion). The newly proposed 31 aircraft are intended to meet the Indian Navy’s long-standing requirement for 57 Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters (MRCBF), ensuring sustained operational capability across its carrier fleet.
Procurement Structure and Fleet Requirement
Under the April 2025 contract, the Indian Navy ordered 22 single-seat Rafale-M fighters and four twin-seat trainer variants. These aircraft are currently under production.
The additional request for 31 jets would bring the total to 57 aircraft, aligning with the Navy’s original operational calculation for maintaining continuous air wing availability across multiple aircraft carriers. The requirement accounts for:
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Operational deployment
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Maintenance cycles
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Training at shore-based facilities such as INS Hansa
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Attrition reserves
If completed, India would become the largest operator of the Rafale Marine variant globally.
Naval Rafale Fleet Comparison
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France: Approximately 41 aircraft (operational)
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India: 26 aircraft (ordered April 2025, under production)
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India: 31 aircraft (additional request, proposed)
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India Total (Projected): 57 aircraft
Operational Rationale
The procurement strategy is structured to support India’s aircraft carrier force, currently comprising INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous carrier INS Vikrant. The first batch of 26 Rafale-M jets was intended primarily to replace the aging MiG-29K fleet and strengthen air wing operations on both carriers.
The proposed expansion to 57 aircraft is linked to long-term planning for the second indigenous aircraft carrier program (IAC-2), commonly referred to as INS Vishal. Defense planners have indicated that early procurement aligns aircraft production timelines with projected carrier construction schedules, ensuring availability of fully operational squadrons upon commissioning.
The fleet size also enables the Navy to maintain a “force-in-being” posture, with dedicated squadrons for each carrier while preserving training, overhaul, and standby capacity.
Technical Configuration
The Rafale-M is the naval variant of the Rafale platform and is engineered for carrier operations. Key structural adaptations include:
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Reinforced landing gear for deck operations
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Arrestor hook for arrested landings
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Strengthened airframe for maritime stress conditions
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“Jump strut” nose wheel enabling ski-jump launches
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Compatibility with catapult-assisted takeoff systems
Despite these naval-specific modifications, the Rafale-M maintains approximately 95% commonality with the Rafale variants currently operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). This commonality simplifies logistics, pilot conversion training, spare parts management, and long-term sustainment.
Industrial Participation and Local Integration
The Rafale-M framework incorporates industrial cooperation provisions aligned with the “Make in India” initiative.
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Local Production Infrastructure: Fuselage manufacturing facilities are being established through the Dassault–Reliance joint venture in Nagpur.
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Weapons Integration: The platform is expected to integrate Indian-developed systems, including the Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile and the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM).
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Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO): Plans include establishing domestic MRO infrastructure to support engines, avionics, and airframe servicing. The facility is expected to function as a regional support hub for Rafale operators.
Broader Defence Cooperation Context
The expanded naval request comes amid increased Indo-French defense engagement. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has recently granted “Acceptance of Necessity” for the procurement of 114 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.
With French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled to visit India later this month, discussions are expected to address both the naval and air force requirements. Negotiations concerning pricing, delivery schedules, industrial participation, and technology transfer are likely to form part of ongoing government-to-government engagement.
If finalized, the additional 31 Rafale-M aircraft would consolidate India’s long-term carrier aviation plans and significantly expand the operational footprint of the Rafale Marine platform within the Indian Navy.
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