Overview
- A Rafale Marine successfully landed on INS Vikrant on October 29, 2026, a milestone the Indian Navy confirmed with video of the deck touchdown and said trials are the first steps toward operational use.
- The carrier landing follows simulated ski‑jump trials at the Shore‑Based Test Facility in Goa and launches a programme of sea trials to validate arrestor‑hook recoveries, take‑off margins and required aircraft or ship modifications.
- India signed an inter‑governmental agreement with France on April 28, 2025 to buy 26 Rafale Marine jets for about ₹63,000 crore, a package that includes weapons, simulators, training and provisions for fuselage production and MRO facilities in India.
- Reporting on delivery timing varies across officials and outlets, with some sources saying initial deliveries could begin by late 2028 or early 2029 and others putting first shipments in 2029 and completion by 2030–2031, so final induction dates depend on trial results.
- Once cleared, the Rafale M fleet will operate from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya to strengthen the navy’s long‑range maritime strike and fleet air defence and will require new pilot training and deck‑handling routines plus local jobs from production and maintenance work.