India will test the Rafale-M (Marine) jets for its Vikramaditya aircraft carrier and indigenous aircraft carrier 1 (IAC1) at INS Hansa in Goa on Friday, which will be deployed as INS Vikrant. Shore-based testing facilities. The plane used for the test arrived on Thursday.

The Rafale-M aircraft is the standard naval version of Rafale’s F4 equivalent. The marine version of the Rafale jet has a reinforced landing gear and front wheels, a larger flame arrestor hook, an integrated ladder, and other subtle differences from the Rafale currently used by the Indian Air Force.

According to people familiar with the matter, the Rafale-M is more suitable for use on aircraft carriers than the US F18 Hornet due to various reasons. They pointed out that it can be installed in the elevator cabin of Vikramaditya, unlike F18, even if the wings are folded, the elevator of Vikramaditya cannot be installed. The size of Rafale-M also means that compared to 10 or 11 F18s, more of them (14) can be installed on the deck of Vikramaditya. It also requires very minor modifications to Vikramaditya’s wheel chokes, which are reversible and can be modified if necessary.

Rafale-M can carry up to 4-5 tons of external load (with all internal fuel) for ski takeoffs. Since it has less internal fuel, it can carry more weapons according to mission requirements. Therefore, it can perform all tasks, including combat air patrol, interception, AD escort, and sea and land strikes filled with internal fuel.

Officials familiar with the matter also added that, unlike F18, F18 requires the aircraft carrier to install a new aircraft carrier optical landing system, and Rafale M can be used in conjunction with the existing system on Vikramaditya.

One of the people familiar with the matter said that common platforms for the Navy and Air Force are also beneficial. The person added that in addition to the logistics and maintenance synergy, Indian naval pilots can also receive training on IAF Rafale fighters to achieve “faster onboarding.”

HT learned that the Navy may test F18 at the same facility in March.

“Vikrant” is likely to enter service on August 15. If the Rafale-M is selected, India may seek to lease four to five aircraft for immediate deployment. Vikramaditya is currently equipped with two aging MiG-29 squadrons.

The Rafale-M sent for testing is the latest version of the fighter, with enhancements unique to India. It has nuclear capabilities and carries Meteor air-to-air missiles, SCALP air-to-surface missiles and hammer precision guided munitions.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times