Defense Sector: Competition between Rafale Marine and F/A-18 Super Hornet for aerial surveillance of Indian seas

Dassault Aviation is a French fighter jet. To join the Indian Navy, there is going to be a competition between the Rafale M i.e. Marine version of Dassault Aviation and the F / A 18 Super Hornet of the American company Boeing.

New guards may be found in a few years to guard the Indian maritime airspace. To join the Indian Navy, there is going to be a competition between the Rafale M i.e. Marine version of Dassault Aviation of France and the F / A 18 Super Hornet of American company Boeing. It started with a sky jump of Rafale M from the Short Based Test Facility (SBTF) aboard Navy’s INS Hansa in Goa on 10 January. After this, the super hornet will sky jump in the coming March.

Complete confidentiality is being maintained in this matter. It is being told only as a demonstration of the capability of the aircraft, but the Navy is going to start the process of acquisition of fighter aircraft soon. On the other hand, Russian-made MiG-29 fighters may soon be phased out of the naval fleet. Its numbers are also less and the Navy will need more aircraft to strengthen its air fleet. Due to this, both the foreign companies are keeping their eyes on this deal. These companies are expected to purchase at least two squadrons i.e. 36 aircraft.

American’s Boeing Company’s F / A 18 is also the best fighter. (file)

Navy needs 57 fighter jets
The Indian Navy currently has 45 MiG-29K fighter jets. That is, from its three squadrons, the Indian maritime border is being airborne. They are stationed on INS Vikramaditya and INS Hansa. It was bought from Russia about a decade ago. Apart from the engine problem, there are some other technical issues. Due to this, preparations have been made to phase it out.

Indian-made aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is set to be commissioned in the Navy’s fleet by August this year. Its third sea trial has been successful only two days ago. In such a situation, the Indian Navy will need at least 36 fighter jets first. This can lead to the formation of a squadron each on both aircraft carriers. The Navy had stated the need for 57 fighter jets in the year 2017. Now the stir has intensified regarding this.

Possibility of buying multi role aircraft
There are three types of landing and take off on an aircraft carrier. These include short take off and vertical landing, short take off but arrest recovery and catapult take off but arrest recovery.

Carrier Short Take Off, Arrest Recovery System is being used in Indian aircrafts. Keeping this in mind, the first Rafale Marine trial has been done in Goa. However, Admiral Karambir Singh, the then Chief of the Navy, insisted on procuring the multi-role aircraft with the Air Force.

Fighter aircraft useful for both the forces can be purchased at a lower cost than this. Keeping this in mind, the Navy has made preparations to buy Multirole Carrier Best Fighter. On the other hand DRDO is also engaged in developing double engine deck based fighter.