The Indian Navy’s quest to acquire a carrier-based fighter jet for its indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is nearing conclusion after months of rigorous evaluations. As per speculations, the Dassault Rafale is expected to win this tightly-fought contest against Boeing Super Hornets.
According to a report published on January 4 in the French publication La Tribune, a contract for over 26 Rafale Marine fighters could be signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi in March 2023. The exact dates of the Presidential visit have not been announced yet.
The report speculated that the Indian side was likely working on the formalities for signing an agreement in March 2023, as the year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
However, no such communication has been released by the Indian government or the Indian Navy.
In December 2021, the former French Defense Minister Florence Parly told the media that Dassault Aviation could bag an order for “26 to 57 Rafale in Navy version.” However, a deal may now be signed for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets instead of 57.
To supplement its dwindling and ailing fleet of carrier-based MiG-29K fighters, the Indian Navy evaluated the French Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M and the US-based Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet earlier this year. The tests involving both aircraft were conducted at a shore-based test facility in Goa, India, a few months apart.
After the trials, the Indian Navy submitted an exhaustive report on Rafale and Super Hornets to the Defense Ministry to make a final decision on the procurement, according to reports in The Times of India. As per the report, French Rafale-M is “more suitable in meeting the operational requirements and criteria” than the Super Hornets.
Earlier, military experts had said that the wings of the Rafale-M could not be folded, making it take up more space on the aircraft carrier’s deck. In contrast, F/18 Super Hornet somewhat enjoyed an advantage with its folding wing mechanism.
However, several other features of the Rafale Marine were factored into the report, which favored the Dassault aircraft. The 26 jets the Navy intends to purchase are merely a stop-gap solution until the nation develops and manufactures its twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF).
The Navy is considering importing deck-based fighters as a temporary solution because TEDBF won’t be ready for another ten years, and the MiG-29K aircraft have faced many technical problems, requiring replacement.
A report in another local French publication clarified that the remaining aircraft would not be supplied by the United States but by the Indian manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
According to speculations, the Indian Navy will acquire the HAL Tejas Mark-2 multi-mission aircraft, which is expected to be operational between 2024 and 2026. EurAsian Times could not independently verify these claims.
