India Set To Seal Deal For 26 Rafale Fighters For Navy In Two Months

The Indian Navy is poised to sign a contract for 26 Rafale-M naval fighter jets in the next two months, according to Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi.

These jets, intended for operations aboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, were selected over Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet after rigorous testing at Goa’s shore-based facility. The Rafale-M’s compatibility with the Navy’s requirements tipped the scales in its favor.

Once finalized, the deal will make India the first export customer of the naval variant of the Rafale. Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, has previously exported the air force variant to nations such as Egypt, Qatar, Greece, and India itself. The Indian Air Force’s fleet of 36 Rafale jets arrived between 2020 and 2022.

INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, has conducted aviation tests featuring landing and take-off cycles of the indigenous LCA Navy and the carrier-based fighter MiG-29K.

However, the Navy formally opted a few years ago not to induct the LCA Navy as a fully operational carrier fighter. Instead, it has been assigned the role of a technology demonstrator, paving the way for a purpose-built naval fleet defense aircraft.

The future of Indian naval aviation lies with the Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is nearing Cabinet-level sanction for full-scale development. Designed specifically for carrier operations, the TEDBF is expected to take its first flight by 2026. The Navy reportedly plans to support the production of up to 100 TEDBF units once proven and ready, making it the backbone of its future fighter fleet.

The Rafale-M acquisition is seen as a stopgap measure to ensure operational capability until the TEDBF enters service in the next decade.

In addition to the Rafale-M deal, the Navy is expected to finalize a contract for three additional Scorpene-class submarines. India currently operates five of these submarines, with the sixth, Vagsheer, undergoing sea trials. The additional submarines will sustain the domestic assembly line and its network of subcontractors, ensuring production continuity.

These submarines will eventually be upgraded with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling extended underwater operations and enhanced stealth. The acquisition aligns with the Navy's push to bolster its conventional submarine fleet, even as the decision on the long-delayed P-75I project for six larger AIP-equipped submarines remains pending.

Both deals highlight the Navy’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities, addressing immediate operational needs while preparing for long-term modernization.