Maiden Rafale Marine landing on INS Vikrant boosts naval aviation

A Rafale Marine fighter jet landed for the first time on the indigenously built INS Vikrant aircraft carrier on its first attempt, signalling a major step for its induction into the Indian Navy. It has been conducting flight trials of the French-built jets in Goa to assess modifications needed for flight operations from the warship.

The landing, carried out on Thursday, marks a key step towards integrating the aircraft into the Indian Navy’s carrier operations ahead of its induction. The trials are for validating the aircraft’s compatibility with the carrier. Once inducted, the jet may also operate from INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. The Navy also shared a video of the maiden landing on social media.

India and France inked a contract worth over Rs 63,000 crores on April 28 last year for 26 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Navy. The package comprises 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers, along with weapons, simulators, training, associated equipment and logistics support.

Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2030, with personnel undergoing training in France and India. The agreement provides for technology transfer to integrate indigenous weapons into the aircraft. The Rs 63,000 crore deal also covers the establishment of Rafale fuselage production facilities in India and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for engines, sensors and weapons.

The Rafale Marine jets will strengthen the Indian Navy’s carrier-based air power, supporting air defence and strikes against targets at sea and on land. Currently operated only by the French Navy, the Rafale Marine jets are designed for aircraft carrier operations. Their induction will expand the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

INS Vikrant currently operates Russian-origin MiG-29K fighter jets that use the ski-jump to take off and are recovered by arrestor wires, in what is known as STOBAR (short takeoff but arrested recovery) in naval parlance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant into service in September 2022. It took over 13 years to build and cost Rs 20,000 crore.

The 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier has 76% indigenous content. It is 262 metres long, has 15 decks and 2,300 compartments, can accommodate 30 aircraft and a crew of 1,600, and has an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.

The IAF is also likely to finalise the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) contract by the end of the 2026-27 financial year. It refers to the proposed purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of roughly Rs 3.25 lakh crore. Under the MRFA model being considered, Dassault Aviation and a local partner will manufacture the Rafales in India. France is expected to supply 18 Rafale jets in fly-away condition, while India will build the remaining aircraft. Twelve Rafales are expected to be built annually in India under the government-to-Government deal.

Discussions have been held with France regarding the localisation of the Rafales to be manufactured in India, the integration of local weapons and other India-specific requirements.

The IAF is operating 36 Rafale jets after the two countries signed a deal in 2016 for the same number of planes. While one squadron is based at Ambala, Haryana, the second squadron is located at Hashimara.