By Ajit Dubey

New Delhi [India], April 9 (ANI): In a major development, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday approved India's largest-ever fighter jet deal, clearing the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal, worth over Rs 63,000 crore, will be executed under a government-to-government agreement with France, government sources told ANI.

The contract will include 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale Marine jets. It also comprises a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing components under offset obligations.

Deliveries of the Rafale M jets are expected to begin approximately five years after the deal is signed. These fighters will be deployed on INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, and will complement the Navy's existing MiG-29K fleet.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Rafale jets at its bases in Ambala and Hashimara.

The new Rafale Marine deal will also help enhance the IAF's capabilities, including upgrading its 'buddy-buddy' aerial refuelling system. This feature will enable around 10 IAF Rafale aircraft to refuel others mid-air, thus extending their operational range.

Defence sources told ANI earlier that the deal will likely include ground-based equipment and software upgrades for the IAF fleet. Additionally, the Navy will need to install specialised equipment on its aircraft carriers to support the operations of the 4.5-generation Rafale jets.

While the MiG-29Ks will continue to operate from INS Vikramaditya, the induction of the Rafale Marine jets is expected to boost the Navy's airpower significantly.Looking ahead, the Indian Navy is also planning to induct indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets, which are under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The upcoming twin-engine deck-based fighter aircraft is likely to be the naval counterpart of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being developed for the Indian Air Force by the Aeronautical Development Agency. (ANI)