Indian Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant
- In Reports
- 02:34 PM, Jan 01, 2022
- Myind Staff
In its exercise to identify aircraft carriers, the Indian Navy is preparing to conduct flight trials of the Rafale-Maritime fighter at Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa on January 6 onwards. The Indian Navy will commission INS Vikrant as its indigenous aircraft carrier in August 2022.
A version of the IAC 1 is undergoing intensive sea trials in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea at Cochin Shipyard. Officials said the Rafale-M fighter aircraft will undergo intensive trials at INS Hansa’s mock-up ski jump facility for nearly 12 days before being assigned to the IAC-1.
In 2008, the Rafale M fighter has also been shown to be interoperable with US aircraft carriers and is the main weapon system for France’s Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier. In addition, Indian Navy plans to test US F-18 Hornet fighters apparently in March as an alternative to Rafale-M fighters.
For the United States Navy, the Boeing F-18 is a proven carrier-based multirole fighter that has been used to conduct strike missions since the Gulf War of 1991.
INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy’s sole aircraft carrier, and the MiG-29K is deployed on two squadrons there. However, maintenance and spare parts for the Russian aircraft are difficult to find.
As of now, the DRDO’s LCA-M is still in early development stages. Two single engine demonstrator fighters are being tested at INS Vikramaditya and a shore-based facility in Goa, which will provide input to the final twin engine carrier fighter in the future.
Aeronautical Development Agency predicts that the twin engine fighter will fly for the first time before 2026 and enter service with the Indian Navy by 2031. Regardless of which fighter spearheads IAC-1 based on flight trials, the Rafale-M is lighter and smaller in size than the F-18 and has a bigger punch in terms of long-range air to air missiles and air to land missiles than the American counterpart.
As a result of the F-18’s size, Navy Aviation experts say the aircraft lift will have to be modified in order to accommodate the aircraft for transportation from the hanger to the flight deck.
During the 75th year of Indian independence, on August 15, 2022, the IAC -1 is expected to be commissioned as the INS Vikrant by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is therefore possible that the Indian Navy may lease four to five Rafale -M aircraft to the Indian Navy.
At Ambala air base, India has a facility for maintenance and flight training of the Rafale fighter jet. Navy pilots will be trained at INS Hansa.
Image source: Quora
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