INDO-FRENCH DEFENCE AGREEMENT: INTERNATIONAL RELATION

INDO-FRENCH DEFENCE AGREEMENT:  INTERNATIONAL RELATION

NEWS: India, France conclude inter-governmental agreement for 26 Rafale-M jets for Navy

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

India has signed a ₹64,000 crore inter-governmental agreement with France for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets to enhance the Navy's carrier-based capabilities, with delivery by 2030 and provisions for technology transfer. This complements India's naval modernization, including indigenous efforts like the TEDBF and acquisition of MQ-9B drones.

Context: Indo-French Defence Agreement on Rafale-M Jets

  • India and France have formally concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) worth approximately ₹64,000 crore for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
  • This deal highlights India’s strategic defence partnership with France and the growing shift toward advanced naval aviation capabilities.

What is G2G Defence Procurement?

  • Government-to-Government (G2G) defence procurement is a direct purchase framework between the two national governments.
  • It eliminates the need for open bidding and speeds up the procurement process in cases of strategic urgency or where trusted partners are involved.

Major Highlights of the Agreement

  • Number of Aircraft: Procurement of 26 Rafale-M jets – specifically tailored for carrier-based operations.
  • Delivery Timeline: Deliveries are expected to begin by mid-2028 and conclude by 2030.
  • Training Package: Includes training of Indian Navy crew both in India and in France, facilitating smoother operational induction.
  • Additional Equipment: The agreement includes the procurement of support equipment for the existing Rafale fleet used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Transfer of Technology (ToT) Provisions

  • Integration of Indian Weapons: Includes ToT for integrating India’s indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile with the Rafale platform.
  • Manufacturing Infrastructure: Plans to establish production facilities for Rafale fuselage components in India, promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.
  • MRO Ecosystem: Agreement includes setting up of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in India for Rafale engines, weapons systems, and sensors.
  • Boost to MSMEs: The project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs and catalyse growth for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through component manufacturing.

Significance for Naval Modernisation

  • India currently operates two aircraft carriers:
  • INS Vikramaditya: Acquired from Russia, currently operational.
  • INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2022.
  • Both carriers are currently equipped with MiG-29K fighter aircraft, procured from Russia, which are facing maintenance challenges and low availability rates.
  • With the MiG-29K nearing the end of its operational life, the Navy needed a more reliable and advanced multi-role carrier-based jet.
  • The Rafale-M was selected over the U.S. F/A-18 after evaluation trials.

Rationalisation of Jet Numbers

  • Originally, the Navy intended to procure 54 carrier-based fighter jets.
  • The number was reduced to 26 following the DRDO’s proposal to develop an indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) by the mid-2030s.
  • The Rafale-Ms will serve as a stop-gap strategic solution while the indigenous programme matures.

Additional Defence Procurement: MQ-9B RPAS

  • Alongside the Rafale deal, India has finalized the procurement of 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardian armed drones from the United States.
  • These are High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), enhancing India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
  • Distribution:
  • 15 drones for the Indian Navy
  • 8 for the Indian Army
  • 8 for the Indian Air Force
  • Delivery Schedule: To be delivered between January 2029 and September 2030.

Strategic and Economic Significance

  • The Rafale-M deal strengthens India’s maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region amid increasing Chinese naval presence.
  • Enhances India’s blue-water naval projection capabilities and operational readiness from dual aircraft carrier groups.
  • Promotes ‘Make in India’ in defence through ToT and indigenous assembly lines.
  • Reinforces the India-France strategic partnership, especially in defence, aerospace, and Indo-Pacific security cooperation.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-france-conclude-inter-governmental-agreement-for-26-rafale-m-jets-for-navy/article69500725.ece