Summary
- Final note for 26 Rafale Marine fighters, including 4 trainers, is before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
- A second deal for 3 additional Scorpene-class submarines is awaiting clearance from a final arm of government.
- Combined value of both defence deals estimated at ₹80,000 crore; critical to India’s naval readiness amid regional tensions.
India’s Naval Upgrade Inches Closer: Rafales for Carriers, Submarines for the Depths
India is on the verge of finalising two of its most significant defence procurements in recent years as part of its deepening military partnership with France. Sources confirm that the much-anticipated deal for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets—22 naval fighters and 4 trainers—has cleared all major procedural hurdles and is now awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Simultaneously, a parallel deal for three additional Scorpene-class submarines, also of French origin, is progressing towards clearance, with only one segment of the government left to sign off.
If cleared in the coming weeks, as expected, these deals—worth a combined ₹80,000 crore—will deliver a major boost to the Indian Navy’s air and underwater strike capabilities.
Just In 🚨
— Vivek Singh (@VivekSi85847001) December 2, 2024
India to finish deal for 26 Rafale-M and 3 Scorpene Submarine with france in next 2 months said Navy Chief.
Total deal is around $9 bn. pic.twitter.com/hEexglixhi
Carrier Power: Rafale M Set to Replace Ageing MiG-29Ks
- The INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant—India’s two aircraft carriers—currently operate MiG-29K fighters, most of which are ageing and maintenance-heavy.
- The 26 Rafales, once approved, will be deployed across both carriers.
- India’s existing 36 Rafales with the IAF means shared spares and servicing will reduce costs and streamline logistics.
The Indian Navy’s fighter fleet has long been constrained by reliability issues and limited numbers. The aging fleet of approximately 40 MiG-29Ks, sourced from Russia, has become inadequate to meet modern maritime combat needs.
The acquisition of Rafale Ms, the naval variant of the fighter, promises to reshape India’s carrier air wings with a platform that has already been combat-tested and integrated with India’s air force. Sources close to the negotiation note that India and France are “on the same page”, with all objections resolved and technical assessments completed.
A senior official noted, “The positions of India and France are identical. The process before the final clearance is complete.”
Once cleared, deliveries are expected to begin within a year, fortifying India’s sea-based air power amid rising Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions.
Below the Surface: Scorpenes to Plug India’s Submarine Gap
- The proposal for three new Scorpene-class submarines—to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) in Mumbai—awaits the final governmental green light.
- MDL has already delivered six Scorpenes under Project 75, giving it both experience and infrastructure for fast-tracked production.
- India currently operates 16 submarines, of which at least 10 are more than three decades old.
India’s underwater fleet is in urgent need of reinforcement. The Navy’s current fleet includes:
- 6 Soviet-era KILO-class subs, delivered in the 1980s,
- 4 HDW German-origin subs, now over 30 years old, and
- 6 modern Scorpenes, built under license in India.
Strategic Stakes: Why the ₹80,000 Cr Package Matters Now
These deals come at a time when India’s maritime doctrine is rapidly evolving in response to threats in the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and the Arabian Sea. China’s growing footprint—whether in Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka) or Djibouti (East Africa)—has led India to fast-track naval procurement.
India’s long-term submarine plan had envisioned 24 subs, but currently stands at just 16, of which only the 6 Scorpenes can be classified as cutting-edge. The shortfall is stark.
Moreover, France’s reliable delivery record, knowledge sharing, and openness to technology transfer make it a strategic partner of choice. As India strengthens its Make in India defence ecosystem, domestic shipyards like MDL stand to benefit directly from the submarine deal.
What’s Next: CCS Decision Timeline and Delivery Outlook
While the exact timeline for CCS clearance is unclear, sources suggest a few weeks at most. Once the approvals are in place:
- The Rafale Ms can begin delivery schedules as early as late 2026, after contract finalization and payments.
- The Scorpene submarines, each taking several years to build, will likely enter service by 2030, depending on component supplies and build speeds at MDL.
India’s alignment with France in these two major deals—covering both air dominance and underwater warfare—signals a decisive strategic posture: preparing for multi-domain maritime conflict scenarios.
