India signs an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with France on Monday for the procurement of 26 Rafale M aircraft: 22 single-seater and four twin-seater. The procurement, made for the Indian Navy, includes training, stimulator, associated equipment, weapons, and performance-based logistics. It will also include additional equipments for the existing Rafael of Indian Air Force, IAF, according to the statement from the ministry of defence. The ASTRA Mk1 air-to-air beyond visual Range missile will also be integrated into the aircraft.

What is Rafale

Rafale Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with operational capabilities in the maritime environment. The new Raphael will be designed as per the Indian demand, and enhancements will be made so that the aircraft is able to take off and land from a short deck with a ski jump. This feature will align with the aircraft carriers India currently possesses.

INS Vikrant, for instance, uses a short takeoff but arrested recovery (STOBAR) configuration, which means that it launches aircraft using a ski jump and recovers them using an arrester wire. On the other hand, the French aircraft carrier, Charles De Gaulle, has a large and flat flight deck designed with steam catapults and arresting gears.