Talks for Naval version of Rafale date back to 2016ĭassault Aviation had been in talks with the Navy for the naval version of the Rafale even before they signed the contract for the 36 air force fighters in 2016.
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However, the demonstration was held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the US.Īlso read: Why India is set to miss 2021 deadline to upgrade Mirage 2000 fighters Rafale M’s competitor - the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter of Boeing - had demonstrated the ski-jump capability in December 2020. That’s why foreign fighters have to showcase the capability as a basic requirement.Ī fighter aircraft’s behaviour for a few seconds after ski-jump take-offs, until wing-borne flight takes place, is critical to achieve a successful launch from carriers. The sources added that the dates are yet to be worked out but Dassault has offered to bring the Rafale M as early as January, if needed.Ĭarrier-based fighters primarily come in three categories - STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing), STOBAR (Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery) and CATOBAR (catapult take-off but arrested recovery).įrench aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and American carriers use CATOBAR while Indian carriers - INS Vikramaditya and an indigenous one that is under trial - employ STOBAR. The Dassault Aviation is confident and wanted to showcase their capability in India itself,” a source said. “The Rafale M will not take off from the aircraft carrier (during the showcase) but from the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa, Goa. The Navy plans to procure new fighters to replace the Russian MiG 29Ks. Sources in the defence establishment said Dassault, which is eyeing a mega contract with the Indian Navy for new fighters, has offered to bring the Rafale M (Marine) to India.
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New Delhi: French defence giant Dassault Aviation is likely to bring the naval version of the Rafale aircraft to India in early 2022 to showcase its ability to carry out a ski-jump, which is a crucial take-off capability to operate from Indian aircraft carriers, ThePrint has learnt.