India Signs $7.4 Billion Rafale M Deal: Boost to Naval Aviation and Aircraft Carrier Power

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Rafale M for Indian Navy Latest News
• Naval Aviation: An Overview
• Aircraft Carrier: An Overview
• History of Carrier Aviation in India
• Why India Needs Aircraft Carriers
• How Rafale M Will Help the Indian Navy
• Rafale M for Indian Navy FAQs

Rafale M for Indian Navy Latest News

• India and France have signed a government-to-government deal worth $7.4 billion (around ₹63,000 crore) for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy. 
• Earlier, 36 Rafale jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force starting in 2021. 

Naval Aviation: An Overview

• Naval aviation refers to the use of military aircraft by naval forces, operating from aircraft carriers, helicopter-equipped ships, or land bases to support maritime operations.

Specialised Aircraft and Operations

• Naval aviation includes aircraft designed for:
  • Short takeoffs and arrested landings on carriers
  • Air-to-air combat and surface/submarine attacks
  • Maritime reconnaissance and search & rescue
  • Logistics and supply missions

Key Roles of Naval Aviation

• Fleet Air Defence: Protects naval forces beyond the range of land-based air cover.
• Strategic Power Projection: Projects air power globally without relying on land bases.
• Anti-Surface Warfare: Targets enemy ships with air-launched weaponry.
• Support for Amphibious Warfare: Assists in marine landings and inland operations.
• Mine Countermeasures: Detects and neutralizes enemy sea mines using aerial assets.

Importance

• Naval aviation is vital for sea control, supporting joint naval-ground operations, and projecting power far from home bases. 
• It comprises carrier-based jets, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.

Aircraft Carrier: An Overview

• An aircraft carrier is a warship that functions as a floating airbase. 
• It is equipped with a full-length flight deck and hangar facilities to support, arm, deploy, and recover aircraft.

Key Functions

• Seaborne Air Power Projection
  • Enables naval forces to project air power far from land-based airfields, enhancing operational reach.
• Carrier Battle Groups
  • Often the centerpiece of modern naval warfare, playing a critical role in deterrence, sea control, and achieving air superiority.

Strategic and Tactical Capabilities

• Adaptability and Survivability: Aircraft carriers can control seas, conduct strikes, and operate across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace.

Global Presence

• About 50 active carriers are currently in service worldwide.
• The United States Navy leads with 11 large nuclear-powered carriers, followed by countries such as Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Russia, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

History of Carrier Aviation in India

• India's carrier aviation began with the commissioning of INS Vikrant in 1961, marking the start of the country's naval aviation journey.
• India continues to expand its carrier fleet, with future plans for additional indigenous carriers.

Key Aircraft Carriers in India

• INS Vikrant (1961-1997): India’s first aircraft carrier, operational for several decades.
• INS Viraat (1987-2017): Served the Indian Navy for 30 years after being commissioned in 1987.
• INS Vikramaditya (Since 2013): A Russian-origin carrier, currently in service with the Indian Navy.
• INS Vikrant (Commissioned in 2022): India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, joining the fleet in 2022.

Why India Needs Aircraft Carriers

• Strategic Deterrence and Power Projection
  • Aircraft carriers allow India to assert influence and maintain a favourable balance of power in the Indian Ocean, a region vital for trade, energy, and security.
• Protection of Maritime Interests
  • With over 90% of India’s trade by volume transported by sea, aircraft carriers help secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), protect island territories, and deter potential threats.
• Blue Water Navy Capability
  • Carriers enable the Indian Navy to operate far from its shores, establishing India as a blue water navy capable of extended operations and rapid crisis responses.
• Continuous Operational Readiness
  • Multiple carriers ensure that at least one is always operational on each coast, even when others are undergoing maintenance or refit.
• Non-Military Roles
  • In addition to military functions, aircraft carriers are essential for Humanitarian & Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, projecting India’s soft power and providing rapid responses to regional emergencies.

How Rafale M Will Help the Indian Navy

• Enhancing Carrier-Based Fighter Fleet
  • Rafale M jets will augment the current MiG-29K fleet, joining a legacy of carrier-based fighters like Sea Hawks, Alizes, and Sea Harriers.
• Future Compatibility
  • While India is developing the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the next decade, the Rafale Ms will fill the capability gap in the interim with their advanced features.
• Combat-Ready and Proven
  • As a four-and-a-half-generation battle-proven aircraft, Rafale M brings superior combat performance to India's naval aviation.
• Interoperability with IAF
  • A major benefit is the commonality with Indian Air Force Rafales, allowing for joint training, shared maintenance protocols, and streamlined logistics between the Navy and the Air Force.
• Boost to Military Capability
  • The induction of Rafale M will significantly strengthen India's maritime strike power and enhance overall military readiness and effectiveness across all domains.

Rafale M for Indian Navy FAQs

Q1. What is the Rafale M deal between India and France?

Ans. India signed a $7.4 billion deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale M fighter jets for its Navy.

Q2. Why does India need aircraft carriers?

Ans. India needs carriers to project power, protect maritime interests, and ensure continuous operational readiness in the Indian Ocean.

Q3. How will Rafale M help the Indian Navy?

Ans. Rafale M will enhance combat capabilities, fill interim gaps, and offer interoperability with Indian Air Force operations.

Q4. What is naval aviation’s main role?

Ans. Naval aviation enables sea control, air defense, anti-ship warfare, and humanitarian operations through aircraft launched from sea platforms.

Q5. How many aircraft carriers has India operated?

Ans. India has operated four aircraft carriers: INS Vikrant (old and new), INS Viraat, and INS Vikramaditya since 1961.

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