Why this matters now
Rafale is tested for: the 36-aircraft €7.87 billion deal (23 Sept 2016 Modi-Hollande); the Rafale political controversy (under-pricing/over-pricing allegations + Reliance Defence offset partner); IAF induction 29 July 2020 5 aircraft to Ambala; full 36-aircraft delivery December 2022; the additional 26 Rafale-M naval deal signed 28 April 2025 at €7 billion / Rs 64,000 crore for INS Vikrant; weapons (Meteor BVR + Scalp + Hammer + Mica + indigenous Astra).
History of the deal
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2007 | IAF launches MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) tender for 126 aircraft. |
| 2012 | Rafale chosen as L-1 (lowest bidder) over Eurofighter Typhoon. |
| 2015 | MMRCA scrapped due to ToT (Transfer of Technology) + price disputes. PM Modi announces 36 Rafale buy at Paris during April 2015 visit. |
| 23 Sept 2016 | Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed at New Delhi by Defence Min Manohar Parrikar + French Defence Min Jean-Yves Le Drian. 36 aircraft at €7.87 billion (Rs 59,000 crore at then-rate). |
| 27 Sept 2018 | First Rafale RB-001 handed over at Merignac, France — flown by Defence Min Nirmala Sitharaman. |
| 29 July 2020 | First 5 Rafales land at Ambala AFS, India. Inducted into 17 Squadron 10 September 2020. |
| 15 Dec 2022 | 36th and final Rafale delivered to India. |
| 28 April 2025 | 26 Rafale-M deal signed — €7 billion / Rs 64,000 crore for INS Vikrant naval operations. Deliveries 2028-30. |
Capabilities
- Engines: 2 × Snecma M88-2; thrust 50 kN each (75 kN reheat).
- Max speed: Mach 1.8 (~2,222 km/h); ceiling 15,000 m.
- Range: 3,700 km ferry; combat radius 1,852 km.
- Avionics: Thales RBE2-AA AESA radar + SPECTRA EW suite + OSF infrared search and track.
- Weapons: Meteor BVR air-to-air (200+ km, the world’s best BVR); Scalp cruise (560 km, stealth land-attack); Hammer precision-guided bomb (AASM); Mica close-combat; Mauser BK-27 cannon; indigenous Astra BVR + Rudram-1 anti-radiation now being integrated.
- Air-to-air refuelling, low-observable airframe + EW, nuclear delivery capability.
Indian Rafale squadrons
| Squadron | Base | Inducted |
|---|---|---|
| No. 17 “Golden Arrows” | Ambala AFS, Haryana | 10 September 2020 |
| No. 101 “Falcons of Chamb & Akhnoor” | Hashimara AFS, West Bengal (China border) | 28 July 2021 |
Total 36 aircraft = 30 single-seat fighters + 6 twin-seat trainers. Forward-deployed with India-specific enhancements: cold-start engine for Ladakh + Hammer for Galwan-type contingencies + Meteor (200+ km no-escape zone for J-10C/J-20 of PLA-AF).
UPSC angle
Know RAFALE — Dassault Aviation French 4.5-GEN TWIN-ENGINE MULTIROLE FIGHTER; 36-AIRCRAFT IAF DEAL Inter-Governmental Agreement 23 SEPTEMBER 2016 New Delhi (Defence Min Parrikar + French DM Jean-Yves Le Drian), €7.87 BILLION / Rs 59000 cr; preceded by MMRCA 2007 tender for 126 (Rafale L-1 2012 over Eurofighter, scrapped 2015 over ToT); PM Modi announced 36-buy Paris April 2015; 1st RB-001 handover Merignac France 27 Sept 2018 Nirmala Sitharaman flew; 1st 5 to AMBALA AFS 29 July 2020 inducted into 17 SQUADRON “GOLDEN ARROWS” 10 SEPTEMBER 2020; 2nd squadron 101 “FALCONS OF CHAMB & AKHNOOR” HASHIMARA AFS WB CHINA BORDER 28 July 2021; 36th delivery 15 Dec 2022 (30 single + 6 trainer); 26 RAFALE-M NAVAL deal signed 28 APRIL 2025 €7 BILLION Rs 64000 cr INS Vikrant deliveries 2028-30; engines 2x Snecma M88-2 50 kN each, Mach 1.8, ceiling 15000 m, range 3700 km, combat radius 1852 km, Thales RBE2-AA AESA RADAR + SPECTRA EW + OSF IRST; WEAPONS: METEOR BVR 200+ km world’s best, SCALP cruise 560 km stealth, HAMMER AASM precision bomb, MICA close-combat, Mauser BK-27 cannon, indigenous Astra BVR + Rudram-1 anti-radiation integrating; nuclear delivery capable.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Rafale deal signed?
On 23 September 2016 — Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and France for 36 aircraft at €7.87 billion / Rs 59,000 crore.
Where are the Indian Rafales based?
17 Squadron “Golden Arrows” at Ambala AFS (Pakistan border); 101 Squadron “Falcons of Chamb & Akhnoor” at Hashimara AFS (China border, West Bengal).
What is the Naval Rafale deal?
India signed a 26 Rafale-M (Marine) deal with France on 28 April 2025 at €7 billion / Rs 64,000 crore for operations from INS Vikrant. Deliveries 2028-30.
What weapons does the Indian Rafale carry?
Meteor BVR (200+ km), Scalp cruise (560 km), Hammer AASM precision bomb, Mica air-to-air, Mauser BK-27 cannon, and integrating Astra + Rudram-1.