Indian Navy Replaces MiG-29Ks with Rafale M's

India and France are signing an agreement this week for the purchase of 26 Dassault Rafale M (naval version) fighter jets for the Indian Navy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting France on July 13-14, 2023. During this visit, it will be discussed how the two countries can take mutual steps to modernize the Indian navy. It is aimed to reach a better point in the Indian defense industry with the technology support from France. For this, the Indian Defense Industry Roadmap of the two countries will be determined. In addition to this roadmap agreement, the two countries are expected to sign an agreement for the supply of 26 Rafale M fighter jets.

It is envisaged that all 26 Rafale M fighter jets to be purchased by India will be single-seat. Indian Navy pilots will first receive training in France and then continue their training in simulators at the Indian Naval Base INS Hansa. The naval squadron of eighteen aircraft will be based at INS Vikrant (R11). The remaining eight aircraft will be based at Naval Base Hansa for both rotational deployments and refresher training.

Rafale A aircraft made its first flight on June 4, 1986. Later, the single-seat C and double-seat B models were developed. Rafale B/C models took to the skies on May 19, 1991. Instead of the RBE2 radar initially used on these aircraft, the AESA RBE2 radar has been installed since 2012. In addition, the Damocles targeting pod transformed the Rafale into a modern fighter-bomber capable of a wide range of missions, including nuclear attack, and equipped with MBDA's Meteor and Mica air-to-air missiles. It is also capable of using AM39 Exocet Block 2, AS-30L, ASMP, SCALP/Storm Shadow air-to-ground (surface) ammunition, allowing the aircraft to perform a wide range of missions. Rafales, one of the best multi-purpose fighter jets of today, also draws attention with its ability to climb to an altitude of 55,000 feet in less than a minute. 

France had previously sold 36 Rafale fighter jets to the Indian Air Force. Now, on top of this number, it is at the point of selling 26 Rafale M, which can take off and land on aircraft carriers, to the Indian Navy. Thus, India will have a total of 62 Rafales in its inventory.

Rafale M entered service in 2006. The Rafale M F3 version, which is currently serving in the French Navy, can carry all European and US-made air-to-air ammunition. This may have been a reason for India's preference. Rafale M versions are also capable of aerial refueling. In 2011, it shot down a G-2 Galeb aircraft of the Libyan Air Force preparing to take off from the runway during the Libya Operation, and in 2013, it hit targets in Mali with aerial refueling of aircraft taking off from France, which made this aircraft attract worldwide attention. With its relatively low visibility, supersonic cruise capability and advanced avionics, the Rafale M is considered to be the 4.5th generation. With an operational radius of 1760 kilometers, the Rafale uses two SNECMA M88-2 engines. It has 11 load carrying stations. In total, it can carry up to 9,000 kilograms of bombs and weapons.

The Indian navy is currently experiencing problems with the engine and electronic control systems of the Russian-made MiG-29K aircraft in its inventory. Due to these problems, India can keep at most 39% of its MiG-29Ks operational. This low activity rate has led India to cooperate with the French. It wants to replace the MiG-29Ks with Rafale M's. 

In the field of aviation, India used to prefer Russian aircraft and ammunition. India, a member of the BRICS, whose relations with the Western Bloc have started to improve in recent years, is a country accustomed to the products of the French defense industry. The two countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year. The two countries have a quarter of a century of experience working together. On July 14th, celebratory ceremonies will be held in France to commemorate the 25th Anniversary. In this context, 4 Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force arrived at the Base Aérienne 105 d'Évreux Commandant Viot (BA105) air base. During these celebrations, Indian Rafale aircraft will take part in a parade and perform demonstration flights.

INS Vikrant, where 18 Rafale M aircraft will be deployed, is an aircraft carrier built by India's own shipyards and entered service last September, costing a total of 3 billion USD.  It is also used alongside the Vikramaditya, which was purchased from Russia and entered service in 2013. Thus, India has begun to make a name for itself in the oceans as a rare naval power with two active aircraft carriers in its inventory. In fact, both China and the UK have more than one aircraft carrier in their navies, but both countries have not yet reached the level of keeping two aircraft carriers active and conducting operations together. In this respect, the Indian Navy is one step ahead of China and the UK in the use of aircraft carriers.

The Greek Air Force has also been using Rafale since 2022. Greece had placed an order for 18 Rafale F3R aircraft under an agreement signed with France in 2020. Then it decided to purchase 6 more aircraft in addition to this number. When the Greek orders are completed, the Greek Air Force will have 24 Rafale aircraft. The first Rafale aircraft was delivered to the Greek Air Force in July 2021 to train Greek pilots in France. Following the completion of the training, the first 6 Rafale fighter jets were delivered to Greece with a ceremony on January 19, 2022. Currently, the delivery process of the aircraft continues. A total of 16 Rafales have been delivered to Greece so far. Since Greece does not have an aircraft carrier, it is not possible for Greece to purchase the naval version of the Rafale M aircraft.

References

Brad Lendon, "India demonstrates naval strength with dual aircraft carrier exercise, a feat China has yet to accomplish", CNN, June 15, 2023, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/15/asia/india-navy-dual-aircraft-carrier-operations-intl-hnk-ml/index.html

Dario Leone, "India and France will sign this week a deal for the purchase of 26 Dassault Rafale M naval fighter aircraft", The Aviation Geek, July 10, 2023, https://theaviationgeekclub.com/india-to-unveil-rafale-m-deal-for-ins-vikrant-aircraft-carrier-on-bastille-day/amp/

Sami Atalan, Modern Air Systems II, Rafale M section, Elma Basım Yayın, January 2018, Page 61

Combined Operations of INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant