India's New Falcon: Rafale M Soars into the Navy's Arsenal

In a historic move to reinforce its military assets, India signed a deal to buy 26 Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets from French company Dassault Aviation. The agreement, which was worth over $7.4 billion, covered the delivery of 22 single-seater and 4 two-seater carrier-capable jets that will be operating from India's aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. While this choice was based on practical reasons, it has long-term strategic consequences. Amid the flux in the Indo-Pacific geopolitical framework, this purchase not only reaffirms India’s leadership but also provides a signal about India’s will and actions to maintain its supremacy and get ready for the new era of maritime warfare.

The acquisition was made just in time. In addition to the regional security challenges brought about by China’s growing naval strength, the acquisition happens when India’s general security situation is highly precarious due to the deadly terrorist threats, especially the Islamic extremist groups. The Islamic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, stands as a typical example of how persistent the threat is by the groups committed to destabilising the region. These incidents show the need to act swiftly, flexibly, and effectively in terms of defence. At such times, the Rafale M is more than just a navy deterrent; it can be a multifunctional, multipurpose asset that can deal with a variety of threats, simultaneously those due to unconventional warfare, terrorism or incursions by the militants across the borders. The discussion here is not how a particular item does in a specific aspect of the warfare arena.

The Indian Navy, frequently associated with traditional state-to-state maritime warfare, is currently encountering an increasingly diverse range of asymmetric threats on both the ocean and land. This includes the probability of terror strikes on highly valuable maritime targets, for example, oil rigs, ships, and naval installations, the risk of radicalised organisation’s using the maritime routes for the purpose of smuggling, or attacks. The Rafale M is a landmark for India as it not only becomes capable of dealing with these maritime threats but also of being used for anti-terrorist activities, thus infusing more flexibility and operational readiness into the Navy. By using its cutting-edge surveillance and reconnaissance facilities, the Rafale M is able to take the helm of maritime surveillance, gathering intelligence, and rapid response to terrorism-related incidents at sea as well as fitting in with the Navy’s overall counter-terrorism activities.

On the one hand, it is the fact that China has been constantly accelerating its military expansion, particularly in naval capacities, that provides the rationale for this procurement. China’s launching of multiple carrier-borne aircraft and their positioning at naval bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), together with their states of increased presence in the disputed waters of the Indo-Pacific region, stand as a testament to China’s relentless pursuit of its goal of becoming a militarily leading maritime power in the world. There is a high possibility of sea-based events that include an open conflict, which has now received an extra boost, creating a maritime crisis that could spread across the global community, and, being the central figure in the heart of the IOR, India, is at the receiving end of this strategic encirclement.

In reality, the arrival of the Rafale M is not just a matter of India’s modernisation; it essentially changes the regional balance of power. The Indian Navy is equipped with a real force-deterring instrument, which also gives it the ability to act freely in vital maritime routes, from the Strait of Hormuz through to the Malacca Strait. From the technical aspect, the Rafale M is an aircraft that satisfies the Indian navy’s needs on various levels and thus it can be considered as a good and wise move for India. If we talk about the basic facilities of the fleet, the Rafale M is made for aircraft carrier operations but with one feature that is it can take off from the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) decks which are used by Indian carriers. During the probe of the aircraft in Goa, the Rafale M was the best choice in terms of suitability and performance in every operational setting thus making it the most beneficial aircraft in the competition, the F/A-18 Super Hornet—the American fighter jet. Not to mention, the jet itself comes with state-of-the-art equipment such as the RBE2 AESA radar, the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, and a highly efficient armament combination that includes Meteor air-to-air missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, and Exocet anti-ship missiles with good anti-mine capabilities.

One of the major strong points for the Rafale M is the capability to be used in the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The Indian Air Force has in its possession 36 units of the French Rafale acting as the backbone of its fleet, an acquisition from France in 2016. The commonality of systems, training protocols, maintenance infrastructure, and spare parts makes it much easier to bring the air force and the navy together as one, a complete and unified fighting force. Not to mention the powerful effect it has on logistics and training costs, and the flexibility of operations, especially in joint-force scenarios. Strategically, the Rafale M ensures India is in a position to exert their power in a region where naval force has been increasingly influential. Not just as defensive tools but also as instruments of geopolitical communication carrier-based aircraft are used. This situation reinforces the feasibility of a carrier strike group having the capacity of fighting the latest fighters like Rafale M that can act as not only a deterrence but also a quick response in an emergency and also a symbol of national dignity.

The above is especially important as India would want to show itself as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific, thus working with other partners like the United States, Japan, Australia and France through bilateral and multilateral frameworks such as the Quad and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Moreover, India’s decision to acquire a French fighter plane instead of the US and Russia also signifies the country’s intricate policy on defence diplomacy. The American F/A-18 Super Hornet was very powerful and hence a prospective choice to potentially replace the French aircraft and it was put to the test in India as well. However, there were a couple of issues. On a structural level, the Super Hornet, being much bigger, created incompatibility problems with India’s carrier elevators and hangars.

The political standpoint was that India still has its reservations about a heavy reliance on the U.S. for military, in view of the potential complications of the end-use monitoring agreements and operational restrictions that usually go together with American defence platforms. Currently, the Indian Navy has been using the MiG-29K on the Russian front of its fleet but there was a possibility of expansion earlier. However, technical issues related to reliability, maintenance and average performance have persisted, which made the jet a less attractive option. To further explain, the war between Russia and Ukraine is having an effect on Russia’s defense production and its image in the international arena. The supply chains for spare parts and the production of the system have been broken suddenly, leading to a catastrophic situation for Russia.

On the other hand, India has a close-knit, reliable defense relationship with France, based on both mutual respect and strategic alignment. Platforms such as the Mirage 2000 and the Scorpene-class submarines are the French ones that India has got, and they have been operated with success, where also Paris has always supported India’s stances in international organizations, including the latter’s quest for independence and the quest for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Part of the Rafale M deal is not only the purchase of the aircraft but also the sharing of the technology and the involvement of the Indian companies in the production. All aligned with India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, the agreement is expected to help the country to create jobs internally, develop the technical side of the area, and enhance the aerospace manufacturing infrastructure, thus become a long-term global hub for defense, and gradually reduce the need for foreign weapons.

However, numerous obstacles stand in the way of making the deal a reality. The most immediate of these is the timeline as it is projected that the first delivery will not take place before 2030, which consequently will leave a technological capability gap for the rest part of the decade. Further, with each plane valued at ₹2,400 crore (maintenance and support costs being included), the issue of sustainability and loss of other opportunities was put forward. Also, it is important to have a clear understanding of the future of carrier aviation strategy in India over the long run. The Indian Naval force lays down the strategy in which they aim to launch a third aircraft carrier, i.e. with CATOBAR configuration. Though Rafale M can be adjusted for such platforms, the situation may change, therefore, requiring another purchase or upgrade that, in turn, will create a logistical puzzle.

Despite these challenges, the strategic calculus remains clear. The Rafale M is not just a fighter jet —it is a force multiplier, a statement of intent, and a cornerstone for India’s evolving maritime doctrine. It enhances the Navy’s ability to operate in multi-domain environments, support amphibious operations, conduct anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) missions, and undertake strategic deterrence patrols. With a more assertive China, increasing volatility in the IOR, and the rise of grey-zone tactics in maritime theatres, India’s investment in carrier-based air power is timely and prudent.

In conclusion, India’s Rafale M acquisition marks a decisive stride toward strengthening its maritime defence capabilities in a highly contested strategic environment. By choosing a technologically advanced, combat-proven platform from a reliable partner like France, India has demonstrated strategic foresight and a commitment to safeguarding its interests in the Indo-Pacific. As India continues to assert its role as a regional power, the Rafale M will be a critical asset in its arsenal—an enabler of deterrence, a guardian of sea lanes, and a symbol of sovereign strength.