The French Rafale-M carrier-based fighter landed on the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant for the first time. The landing was successful on the first attempt and marks the first steps towards putting the aircraft into operation as part of the Indian Navy's carrier-based aviation. The tests were carried out after inspections at the onshore Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa; the machine under test belongs to the French Navy.
As Naval News reminds, in April 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Dassault Aviation for 7.5 billion dollars, which involves the supply of 26 Rafale fighters, four of which are in training modification.
Landing of the Rafale-M fighter jet on the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant
Indian Navy
The transfer of the first aircraft is expected in 2029, but the contractor has committed to prepare a sample with modifications for the Indian Navy's requests as early as 2026. By mid-October, the Rafale-M was spotted flying near the Indian coastal test facility for carrier-based aircraft in Goa. After the SBTF tests, an attempt was made to practice landing and takeoff from the aircraft carrier Vikrant.
According to Naval News, the Indian Navy will receive a modification of fighter jets with removable missile guides on the wingtips.
"This was a key problem: the triangular wing of the Rafale-M does not fold, and the span exceeds the dimensions of the aircraft elevators on the Vikrant," the publication explains. – To accommodate the fighters, small improvements to the lifts and the installation of some specialized systems will be required. Similar changes will be needed for the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya to operate the Rafale-M.
Since the Indian twin-engine carrier-based fighter (TEDBF) project is not progressing, it cannot be ruled out that New Delhi will decide to purchase additional Rafale-M. in the future. The Indian Navy's initial demand for carrier-based fighters was estimated at 57 units. The Rafale-M and the American F/A-18 Super Hornet competed to replace the MiG-29K/KUB fighters currently used by Indian aircraft carriers. The French version was chosen after both aircraft underwent extensive testing in 2022.
The choice of the Rafale-M ensures unification with the fleet of 36 Indian Air Force aircraft. The Air Force is expected to order 114 more such fighters, 90 of which will be produced in India. Naval News suggests that additional Rafale-M orders are also likely to be completed in India.
The Rafale-M purchase agreement also provides for the transfer of technology for the integration of Indian weapons.
The Rafale-M is a deck–mounted twin-engine multirole combat aircraft with a triangular wing, developed for the French Navy. It was first introduced in 2001. The fighter is characterized by versatility, maneuverability and advanced avionics. The aircraft is designed to perform various tasks, including gaining air supremacy, interception, reconnaissance, support for ground operations, anti-ship strikes, and even for nuclear deterrence.
The Rafale-M fighter has impressive dimensions for a deck aircraft: length – 15.27 meters, wingspan – 10.8 meters, height – 5.34 meters.
The maximum take–off weight is 24.5 tons. The aircraft can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.8 (1,912 km/h), and the flight range exceeds 3,700 km when equipped with three outboard tanks. The practical ceiling is 15,235 meters.
The aircraft is equipped with two Snecma M88-2 turbojet engines, each of which develops a thrust of 5,100 kgf (in afterburner mode – 7,500 kgf).
The possible arsenal of the Rafale-M includes air–to–air missiles (such as MICA and Meteor), air-to-surface missiles (SCALP-EG and AASM), anti-ship missiles (AM-39 Exocet and ANF), as well as a 30 mm GIAT cannon. 30 DEFA. The total weight of the combat load is up to 9500 kg.
