Rafale Marine makes first successful landing on indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

The first successful landing of a Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jet has been conducted on the Indian Navy's indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The trial, held on 29 October, saw the aircraft land successfully on its very first attempt. With this success, a significant milestone in the process of making Rafale Marine jets operational for the Indian Navy has been achieved. This aircraft is a fighter jet used by the French Navy, and during these trials, it was flown by French pilots.

According to reports from Dainik Bhaskar and Hindustan Times, the primary objective of these trials is to verify whether this aircraft, prepared for France, can be adapted to the technology of the Indian aircraft carrier. Taking off and landing a fighter jet on a ship at sea is significantly different and more challenging than operating standard aircraft. Prior to this, similar trials were conducted by French pilots at a shore-based test facility in Goa.

In April 2025, India signed a significant defence contract worth approximately ₹63,000 crore with France to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. This contract includes 22 single-seat jets and 4 twin-seat jets. According to an NDTV report, the first delivery of these aircraft is expected by the end of 2028 or early 2029. The contract also covers pilot training, flight simulators, weapons, essential equipment, and long-term maintenance support. Additionally, it includes extra equipment for the Rafale jets already in use by the Indian Air Force.

Providing details about INS Vikrant, reports state that this 45,000-ton aircraft carrier is 262 meters long and features 15 decks and 2,300 compartments. It has sufficient space for 30 aircraft and 1,600 crew members, with a range of 7,500 nautical miles. The ship has been built using 76% indigenous content. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant into service in September 2022; it took 13 years to build at a cost of ₹20,000 crore. The Navy will now use Rafale-M jets capable of operating from both INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

There are two main techniques for launching aircraft from an aircraft carrier: CATOBAR and STOBAR. The CATOBAR technique uses a powerful launch system called a 'catapult' to help the aircraft achieve the necessary speed over a short distance, which is used on France's Charles de Gaulle ship. In the STOBAR technique, there is no catapult; instead, the aircraft takes off with the help of an upward-sloping ramp, or 'ski-jump', built on the ship. India's INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya use the STOBAR system, where Russian-origin MiG-29K fighter jets are currently operational.

Rafale Marine aircraft will be used for missions such as air defence, maritime strikes, reconnaissance, and coastal attacks. These aircraft will assist the Navy in targeting enemy fighter jets and maintaining control over the sea while remaining outside the range of enemy weaponry. The contract also includes technology transfer for the integration of indigenous weapons in line with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

On the other hand, India is also working on a plan to purchase 114 Rafale fighter jets, known as the MRFA project. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that a decision on this project could be taken by the end of this financial year. The cost of this project could be approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore. Under this plan, Dassault Aviation and a local partner will manufacture Rafale jets in India. In this, 18 aircraft will be supplied by France in fly-away condition, and the remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India, with an expected production rate of 12 aircraft per year. The Indian Air Force currently has 36 Rafale jets in operation, which were purchased at a cost of ₹59,000 crore.