Indian Navy plans major expansion of combat aircraft capabilities.
India is reportedly looking to significantly expand its air combat capabilities by acquiring additional fighter aircraft from France. According to recent reports from French media outlet La Tribune, New Delhi has expressed interest in ordering 31 more Rafale Marine jets. This potential acquisition would be in addition to the massive proposal for 114 combat aircraft recently cleared for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
If this new request is finalized, the total number of Rafale aircraft ordered by India in this latest phase could reach 145 units. While the Indian government has not yet issued an official confirmation regarding the report by the French daily, the development signals a strategic push to modernize India's defence forces.
Boosting Naval Power
The Indian Navy has long identified a need for robust carrier-borne fighters. Reports suggest the Navy had projected a requirement for these 31 additional jets several years ago. Currently, India has already moved forward with contracts for 26 naval variants. With the addition of 31 more, the Indian Navy could eventually operate a fleet of 57 Rafale Marine jets.
Interestingly, this number would position India’s naval Rafale fleet as larger than that of France itself, which currently operates 41 naval variants. These advanced aircraft are expected to be deployed primarily on INS Vikrant, the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, and potentially on INS Vikramaditya.
114 Jets for the IAF
This news comes shortly after India cleared a long-pending proposal to procure 114 multi-role fighter aircraft for the IAF. This deal, valued at over Rs 2.90 lakh crore, is one of the largest defence procurement projects in the world. Under the "Make in India" initiative, 18 of these jets will be imported in fly-away condition, while the remaining units will be manufactured domestically with significant indigenous content.
With the French President expected to visit India soon, defence experts are watching closely to see if an inter-governmental agreement will be signed during the trip. However, final contracts typically require detailed negotiations regarding weaponry packages and pricing, which may take until the end of the year to conclude.
Source: Public Domain
