Indian tender for new carrier-based fighters for the latest aircraft carrier of its own design INS Vikrant may be completed in the near future. According to the Hindustan Times, Indian Navy Air Command identified the aircraft, which will enter the air wing of an aircraft carrier.
Two aircraft participated in the tender for a new carrier-based fighter for INS Vikrant – this is a French carrier-based fighter Rafale-M (Marine), as well as the American carrier-based F / A-18 Super Hornet. Both aircraft showed good results in testing on the ground ski jump at the fleet base in Goa., completely repeating the deck of a new aircraft carrier. As stated in the command of the Indian Navy, from the new carrier-based fighter, the Indian military expects the ability to take off when fully loaded with fuel and weapons, including precision-guided bombs and nuclear-powered systems.
And now the decision has been 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. reportedly, in the competitive race, the French overtook 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's just a document, on the basis of which the Ministry of Defense of India will make a final decision.
Rafale-M is recognized as the preferred option to meet the operational requirements and criteria of the Indian Navy over the F / A-18 Super Hornet- writes Indian edition.
As previously reported, The Indian Navy intends to purchase 26 carrier-based fighters to replace the Russian MiG-29K, belonging to the air wing of the Indian aircraft carrier.
