RAFEL MARINE JET

1. Context

2. Key points

• The DAC, responsible for approving major capital procurements, has granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, marking the initial step in the defence procurement process.
• The subsequent negotiations on pricing and other terms of purchase will take place with the French government, as the procurement will be carried out through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

3. Overview of Rafale Jets and their Marine Version

• The Rafale Marine fighters serve as the naval variant of the Rafale fighter jets, with the Indian Air Force already operating 36 of them.
• Manufactured by France's Dassault Aviation, the Rafales are advanced twin-engine, multirole fighter jets equipped with cutting-edge weapon systems, including Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, Hammer air-to-surface smart weapon systems, and Scalp cruise missiles.
• These jets boast modern sensors, radar, and exceptional payload-carrying capabilities.
• Moreover, they have been enhanced with India-specific features to carry out a wide range of missions.

Image Source: EurAsiatimes

4. Distinctive Features of Rafale Marine Jets

• The Marine version of the Rafale jets has certain modifications to suit carrier-based operations at sea.
• Notable differences include foldable wings, an elongated airframe for carrier landings, and a tail hook for arrested landings on carriers.
• Safran, a French firm, highlights that the nose and main landing gears of the naval version have been reinforced to withstand the challenging conditions of aircraft carrier landings and catapulting.
• Additionally, the Rafale M nose gear incorporates "jump strut technology" in the shock absorber, providing the aircraft with an angle of attack during catapulting.
• The naval variant also has an expanded arsenal, enabling it to carry a broader range of weapons such as anti-ship missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and maritime operation-specific radar.

5. Transition from MiG-29Ks to Rafale M

• Currently, the Indian Navy operates MiG-29Ks from its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
• These Russian-made carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft boast a maximum speed of over twice the speed of sound and can reach altitudes of over 65,000 feet.
• The MiG-29Ks possess advanced avionics, data link capabilities, and a wide range of armament, enabling effective engagement of targets in the air, at sea, and on land.
• With some of the MiG-29Ks set to retire in the coming decade and the Indian Navy having two operational aircraft carriers, the need arose to procure additional deck-based fighters to meet operational requirements until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and DRDO becomes available.
• Out of various contenders, including Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Aviation's Rafale-M emerged as the only aircraft meeting the Navy's fighter jet criteria.
• The common spares and support with the Rafales operated by the Indian Air Force gave Rafale M an advantage.

6. Export and Order Details of Rafale

• Dassault Aviation highlights that the Rafale plays a pivotal role in France's nuclear deterrence strategy.
• By the end of 2022, France had placed orders for a total of 192 Rafales, including 12 aircraft to replace those sold to Greece. Out of this total, 153 have already been delivered.
• As part of the 2019-2025 military spending bill, France plans to announce another order for 30 Rafales in 2023, with an additional 12 Rafales to compensate for those sold to Croatia.
• Since 2007, the Rafale has accumulated a total of 405,000 flight hours, including 63,500 operational hours flown by French pilots.