India is finalising a significant defence agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for its Navy. These advanced jets will be utilised from India’s two aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and the recently commissioned INS Vikrant. While the exact financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, media sources indicate that the pricing will be modelled after the Rafale jets previously acquired for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with adjustments for inflation.
Historical Context of the Rafale Deal
In 2016, India entered into a contract with France’s Dassault Aviation for 36 Rafale fighter jets for the IAF. The average cost for these aircraft was €91.7 million (approximately Rs 686 crore) each. The deal comprised 28 single-seat fighters at €91.07 million (Rs 681 crore) each and eight twin-seat fighters priced at €94 million (Rs 703 crore) per aircraft. The total expenditure for this deal reached €3.3 billion for the 36 “bare-bones” aircraft.
Price Projections for the Rafale Marine Jets
Using the previous Rafale pricing as a baseline, the upcoming deal for the Rafale Marine jets is anticipated to maintain a comparable price structure, adjusted for inflation. Industry estimates indicate a 6% annual inflation rate since 2016, potentially impacting the final cost of the Rafale Marine jets significantly.
Estimated Price Calculation
Based on the following figures:
- Base Price (2016): €91.7 million
- Annual Inflation Rate: 6%
- Years Since 2016: 8 years (projected to 2024)
The projected cost for each Rafale Marine jet in 2024 is estimated to be around €146 million (approximately Rs 1,090 crore). This would lead to a total expenditure of approximately €3.8 billion (Rs 27,860 crore) for the purchase of 26 aircraft.
Strategic Importance of the Rafale Marine Jets
The acquisition of the Rafale Marine jets is crucial for enhancing the Indian Navy’s air power. These jets are specifically designed for operation from aircraft carriers, making them vital for carrier-based missions in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The Indian Navy plans to base these aircraft at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, when not in use on the carriers.
