This week, India and France will start discussions to finalize a Rs 50,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. The Indian government has already approved the purchase of these jets from France to equip the indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, according to The Economic Times.
Out of the 26 jets being acquired, 22 are single-seat jets and four are twin-seat trainer aircraft. The jets are expected to be delivered about three years after the contract is signed.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a new indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) for aircraft carrier operations. In the meantime, 26 jets will be acquired to cover the gap, as the current Mig-29K jets might not last until the TEDBF is ready. The Navy currently has two aircraft carriers: INS Vikramaditya, which was bought from Russia, and INS Vikrant, which was built in India.
Because of significant quality issues with the fighter jets, which require frequent inspections, the Indian Navy plans to retire its entire fleet of around 41 MiG-29K supersonic fighter aircraft by 2025.
INS Vikrant can hold 18 MiG-29K jets, while INS Vikramaditya can accommodate 26 MiG-29Ks.
India has already bought 36 Rafale jets from France for its Air Force under a major Rs 59,000 crore deal signed in September 2016.The first Rafale squadron, No. 17 Golden Arrows, is stationed at Ambala under the Western Air Command. The second squadron, No. 101, is based at Hasimara under the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft comes in three main versions: the Rafale C, a single-seat land-based model; the Rafale B, a twin-seat land-based model; and the Rafale M, a single-seat carrier-based model.
The Rafale Marine, also known as the Rafale M, was picked instead of the American F/A-18 Super Hornets after thorough testing at a facility in Goa. A major benefit of choosing the Rafale M is that it matches well with the Indian Air Force’s current Rafale jets. This similarity is expected to lower costs for spare parts and maintenance since both jets share about 80 percent of their components. It has an extended airframe designed for carrier landings, and a tail hook for arrested landings on carriers.
The Rafale M, made by Dassault Aviation, is a versatile single-seat aircraft that can handle various missions such as air defense, nuclear deterrence, deep strikes, and reconnaissance. It has a wingspan of 10.90 meters, a length of 15.30 meters, and a height of 5.30 meters. The Rafale M can take off with a maximum weight of 24.5 tonnes and can carry up to 9.5 tonnes of external load.The aircraft can reach a top speed of 750 knots (1,389 km/h) and performs well at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.
The Rafale M can carry out air-to-ground and air-to-air missions at the same time. It supports a wide range of weapons, including the long-range Meteor missile, MICA missiles, HAMMER, SCALP, AM39 EXOCET, and laser-guided bombs. It also has a NEXTER internal cannon that fires 2,500 rounds per minute. Dassault Aviation calls the Rafale an “omnirole aircraft,” meaning it can adapt to various combat situations and threats.
The Rafale fighter has a solid history with the French military. The first version, Standard F1, was designed for air-to-air missions and became operational in 2004. Later versions added air-to-ground capabilities. The current version, Standard F3, has been in use since 2008. In early 2023, the French military started receiving the upgraded Standard F4 Rafale fighters.
(Views expressed in the article are of author’s own and do not reflect the editorial stance of Business Upturn)
