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2h ago

Rafale‑M Completes First Deck Landing on INS Vikrant

The landing advances tests to adapt the French naval Rafale for India’s ski‑jump carriers, signaling progress toward pilot training, weapons integration, local assembly.

The ongoing trials, ahead of the induction of these fighters, mark the first steps towards operationalising the aircraft in the navy, they said on Friday.
Rafale Marine: The landing marks a key step towards integrating the aircraft into the Indian Navy
Rafale-M

Overview

  • A Rafale‑M successfully landed on INS Vikrant on Oct. 29, the Indian Navy said, completing the deck arrestor recovery on its first attempt and marking the start of carrier sea trials.
  • Before the ship landing, the Navy ran simulated ski‑jump trials at the Shore‑Based Test Facility in Goa to validate takeoff and arrestor performance for STOBAR operations.
  • India signed a Rs 63,000 crore deal with France on April 28, 2025 to buy 26 Rafale‑M jets, a package that includes weapons, simulators, training and long‑term logistics support.
  • The programme includes explicit technology‑transfer and industrial steps to integrate Indian weapons, set up fuselage production and establish MRO facilities, but delivery dates remain disputed between end‑2028/early‑2029 and completion by 2030.
  • Once inducted, the Rafale‑M fleet will expand carrier air roles such as fleet air defence and maritime strike, while ongoing training and base‑level preparation aim to create jobs and sustainment capability in India.