Image source: topwar.ru
The Indian tender for new carrier-based fighters for the newest aircraft carrier of its own design, INS Vikrant, may be completed in the near future. According to the Hindustan Times, the Indian Navy Aviation Command has identified an aircraft that will enter the aircraft carrier's wing.
Two aircraft participated in the tender for a new carrier-based fighter for INS Vikrant - this is the French Rafale-M (Marine) carrier-based fighter, as well as the American F/A-18 Super Hornet carrier-based fighter. Both aircraft showed good results as part of testing on a ground springboard at the fleet base in Goa, completely repeating the deck of the new aircraft carrier. As stated in the command of the Indian Navy, the Indian military expects the new carrier-based fighter to be able to take off when fully loaded with fuel and weapons, including precision-guided bombs and systems with nuclear stuffing.
And so the decision was made, in the aviation command of the Indian fleet, the Rafale-M fighter of the French company Dassault Aviation was named the leader of the tender. As reported, in the competitive race, the Frenchman beat the American. This is stated in the new report on the evaluation tests of both aircraft.
However, it is worth noting that this report is not the final decision on the purchase of French carrier-based fighters, it is just a document on the basis of which the Indian Ministry of Defense will make a final decision.
- writes the Indian edition.
As previously reported, the Indian Navy intends to purchase 26 carrier-based fighters to replace the Russian MiG-29K, which are part of the Indian aircraft carrier's air wing.
