India to sign deal to buy 26 Rafale-M Fighter Jets from France

Rafale-M Fighter Jets are advanced naval variants of the French-made Rafale aircraft, designed for carrier-based operations. India is set to acquire these jets to boost its naval aviation strength and maritime security.

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), has approved a ₹63,000 crore deal with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets for the Indian Navy.

About Rafale-M Fighter Jets

Rafale-M Fighter Jets is the naval variant of the Rafale multi-role fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation (France). It is designed specifically for aircraft carrier operations.

Key Features of Rafale-M

Tail hook for arrested landings on aircraft carriers.
Strengthened landing gear for ski-jump or catapult launches.
Folding wings for compact storage on carriers.
It is equipped with Advanced avionics, radar and electronic warfare systems.
It can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, reconnaissance and nuclear strike missions.

These jets are to be deployed on INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant (India’s two aircraft carriers).
- Both carriers use ski-jump launch systems (STOBAR – Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery).
The Indian Navy currently uses MiG-29K fighters on both its aircraft carriers.
Rafale is a 5-generation aircraft with a maximum speed of 1.8 Mach (1 Mach=1235km/hr). (Asked in UPSC Prelims -2024).

Check Here: Cabinet Committees in India

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

Headed by: Prime Minister.
Members: Ministers of Defence, Home Affairs, Finance and External Affairs.
Functions:
- It makes all the important decisions on defence policy and expenditure.
- It is the apex body regarding appointments of the officials in the national security bodies.
- Deals with all issues related to the law and order and national security of India.