Rafale Marine makes historic maiden landing on INS Vikrant, marking major milestone for Indian Navy

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi. In a major milestone for India’s carrier-based combat aviation programme, a French-origin Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter aircraft successfully completed its maiden landing aboard the Indian Navy’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on October 29, marking a significant advance in the integration of the advanced multirole fighter into the Navy’s carrier operations.

The aircraft accomplished the arrested landing on its maiden attempt, demonstrating the progress made in assessing its compatibility with India’s aircraft carrier operating configuration. The fighter also undertook a take-off from the carrier during the trials, according to reports published on October 30.

The Indian Navy announced the successful landing on October 30, describing the ongoing trials as the first steps towards operationalising the Rafale-M in the service. It also released video footage of the aircraft’s carrier operations.

The achievement is particularly important because the Rafale-M was originally designed for operations from aircraft carriers employing a catapult-assisted launch system, whereas INS Vikrant uses a ski-jump arrangement for launching fighter aircraft. The successful landing marks a significant step in validating the French fighter’s suitability for India’s distinct carrier aviation environment.

The development comes as India prepares to induct 26 Rafale-M fighters acquired from French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation under an inter-governmental agreement signed with France in April 2025. The aircraft are intended to substantially strengthen the Indian Navy’s carrier-borne air combat capabilities and progressively replace its ageing Russian-origin MiG-29K/KUB fleet.

The maiden landing is therefore more than a successful flight trial. It represents an important transition from shore-based assessments to actual shipboard integration, bringing India closer to introducing a new generation of carrier-based multirole combat aircraft.

A significant technical achievement: CATOBAR versus STOBAR

One of the most significant aspects of the latest development is the difference between the aircraft launch and recovery systems used by French and Indian aircraft carriers.

The Rafale-M was developed primarily for operations from France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which employs the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration.

Under this system, aircraft are launched with the assistance of steam or electromagnetic catapults, which provide the additional acceleration required for take-off from a relatively short flight deck. During recovery, the aircraft uses a tail hook to catch one of the arresting wires stretched across the flight deck, bringing it to a rapid halt.

INS Vikrant, in contrast, employs the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration.

Under this arrangement, fighter aircraft take off using their own engine power from a ski-jump ramp at the bow of the carrier. The upward curvature of the ramp helps the aircraft achieve the required flight trajectory, while the arresting-wire system is used to recover aircraft returning to the ship.

The Russian-origin MiG-29K/KUB fighters currently operated by the Indian Navy are also designed for STOBAR operations.

The integration of the Rafale-M into this configuration is technically significant because the aircraft was originally optimised for catapult-assisted operations. Its ability to operate from INS Vikrant requires detailed assessments of take-off performance, landing characteristics, aircraft handling and compatibility with the carrier’s aviation infrastructure.

The successful arrested landing on October 29 demonstrates that the aircraft has cleared an important initial stage of this process. However, further trials will be required to establish its suitability for sustained operational deployment.

The trials are also intended to validate the aircraft’s compatibility with the carrier’s ski-jump launch arrangement, arresting wires and deck-handling systems.

From shore-based trials in Goa to INS Vikrant

The successful landing on INS Vikrant follows a series of shore-based assessments undertaken at the Indian Navy’s Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa naval air station in Goa.

The facility has a ski-jump runway and arresting-wire arrangements designed to replicate important aspects of an aircraft carrier’s flight deck. It enables the Navy to assess aircraft take-off and landing characteristics under controlled conditions before moving to actual shipboard operations.

The Rafale-M had earlier undergone evaluation at this facility, including assessments of its ability to take off using a ski-jump configuration.

The latest phase of trials, which began in October 2026, has taken the integration programme to the next stage, with the fighter operating from the actual flight deck of INS Vikrant.

The maiden arrested landing on October 29 was completed successfully on the first attempt. The subsequent shipboard trials will be important in determining the aircraft’s operational compatibility with the carrier and the requirements for its eventual induction.

There is also an important engineering consideration concerning the aircraft’s dimensions. The Rafale-M has a wingspan of approximately 10.9 metres, while INS Vikrant’s aircraft lifts are approximately 10 metres wide. Unlike some other naval fighters, the Rafale-M does not have folding wings. The carrier’s lifts are consequently being modified to accommodate the aircraft and facilitate movement between the flight deck and hangar.

This is an important consideration because carrier aviation involves much more than the ability of an aircraft to take off and land. The fighter must also be capable of being moved, parked, maintained, refuelled and armed within the restricted space available aboard a warship.

India’s ₹63,000-crore acquisition of 26 Rafale-M :

INS Vikrant is part of India’s larger programme to modernise the Indian Navy’s carrier-based fighter fleet through the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M aircraft from France.

India signed the inter-governmental agreement with France on April 28, 2025, at an estimated cost of approximately ₹63,000 crore (around $6,635,884).

The contract includes:

• 22 single-seat combat aircraft for operational deployment.
• Four twin-seat aircraft for training and associated requirements.
• Associated weapons, simulators and training equipment.
• Maintenance, logistics and performance-based support.
• Technology transfer provisions for integrating Indian-origin weapons.
• Industrial participation and the development of maintenance and support facilities in India.

The procurement was undertaken to address the Navy’s requirement for a modern carrier-based multirole fighter capable of undertaking air defence, maritime strike, reconnaissance and precision attack missions.

The Rafale-M was selected following a comparative evaluation against the American F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Both aircraft had undergone trials at the Navy’s shore-based test facility in Goa, which replicates the ski-jump configuration of Indian aircraft carriers.

The selection of the French fighter was announced in July 2023, followed by the formal acquisition agreement in April 2025.

India will become the first foreign country to operate the naval variant of the Rafale.

There have been differing published indications about the delivery schedule. Initial deliveries have been reported for late 2028 or early 2029, while some reports place completion of the programme in 2031. The April 2025 agreement envisaged completion by 2030.

Rafale-M: Advanced technologies and combat capabilities:

Developed by French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-M is a carrier-capable variant of the Rafale multirole combat aircraft.

It is a twin-engine, multirole fighter designed to operate from aircraft carriers and undertake a wide range of missions, including air superiority, fleet air defence, maritime strike, reconnaissance and deep penetration attacks.

The naval variant incorporates several structural modifications to withstand the stresses associated with carrier operations. These include reinforced landing gear, a strengthened airframe, a tail-mounted arresting hook and a carrier-compatible undercarriage.

The aircraft is powered by two Safran M88 turbofan engines and has a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.8.

Its principal technological capabilities include:

• Active electronically scanned array radar: The Rafale-M is equipped with the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, which provides advanced target detection, tracking and engagement capabilities. It enables the fighter to identify and engage aerial targets while also supporting maritime and ground surveillance missions.
• Advanced electronic warfare: The aircraft incorporates the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, which provides radar warning, threat identification, electronic countermeasures and jamming capabilities. These systems enhance the aircraft’s survivability in contested operational environments.
• Beyond-visual-range air combat: The Rafale-M can carry Meteor and MICA air-to-air missiles, providing it with the ability to engage hostile aircraft at different ranges. The Meteor, in particular, is an advanced beyond-visual-range missile equipped with a ramjet propulsion system, designed to maintain high energy during the terminal phase of an engagement.

Maritime strike capability

The fighter can carry the AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile, enabling it to engage hostile surface vessels. This provides the Indian Navy with an additional airborne option for targeting enemy warships and other high-value maritime assets.

Deep-strike capability

The aircraft’s weapons portfolio includes the SCALP-EG cruise missile, which provides a long-range precision-strike capability against strategically important targets on land.

The combination of advanced radar, electronic warfare, air-to-air missiles and precision-guided weapons makes the Rafale-M a versatile platform for both defensive and offensive maritime operations.

INS Vikrant: India’s indigenous floating airbase

The successful landing also highlights the growing importance of INS Vikrant in India’s maritime force structure.

Commissioned into service on September 2, 2022, INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously designed and constructed aircraft carrier. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the approximately 45,000-tonne warship represents a major milestone in the country’s indigenous warship-building capabilities.

The carrier has an indigenous content of approximately 76 per cent and can accommodate around 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters.

The carrier currently operates Russian-origin MiG-29K/KUB fighters, alongside helicopters used for airborne early warning, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and other maritime missions.

The induction of Rafale-M fighters will give the carrier a more advanced combat aviation component, particularly in terms of radar capabilities, electronic warfare, weapons and operational flexibility.

It will also strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect its carrier battle group and provide air cover to other warships operating in distant maritime theatres.

Replacing the MiG-29K: A generational transition

The Rafale-M acquisition is also important in the context of the operational challenges associated with the Indian Navy’s existing MiG-29K/KUB fleet.

The Russian-origin fighters were acquired to operate from INS Vikramaditya and subsequently INS Vikrant. They have provided the Navy with an important carrier-based air combat capability, but maintenance and serviceability challenges have affected the availability of the fleet.

The Rafale-M is expected to progressively replace the MiG-29K/KUB as the Navy’s principal carrier-based combat aircraft.

The transition will involve not only the induction of new fighters but also the development of an entirely new operational ecosystem encompassing pilot training, aircraft maintenance, weapons integration, technical support and carrier-deck management.

The Navy will also have to train personnel in handling a different aircraft with its own operational characteristics and maintenance requirements.

An important advantage is the commonality with the 36 Rafale fighters already operated by the Indian Air Force.

Although the naval variant has structural modifications for carrier operations, the two versions share several technological features, including avionics, radar, electronic warfare systems and weapons compatibility.

This could facilitate the sharing of maintenance expertise, technical support and logistics infrastructure between the two services.

Implications for India’s maritime strategy

The successful landing of the Rafale-M on INS Vikrant assumes considerable strategic significance against the backdrop of growing naval competition in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region.

The Indian Ocean is a critical maritime theatre through which substantial volumes of international merchandise trade and energy supplies pass. Its sea lanes connect the Middle East, Africa and Europe with the major economies of South and East Asia.

India’s geographical position gives the Indian Navy an important role in maintaining the security of these maritime routes.

At the same time, China’s expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean, its growing aircraft carrier fleet and its expanding network of maritime partnerships have added new dimensions to India’s maritime security calculations.

The acquisition of the Rafale-M will strengthen India’s ability to deploy advanced combat aircraft from its aircraft carriers and maintain air superiority over important maritime areas.

Its capabilities will be particularly relevant in the following areas:

Carrier battle group protection: The fighter will provide air defence cover to the carrier and its accompanying destroyers, frigates and other naval assets.

Maritime strike: The Exocet missile capability will provide an additional means of attacking hostile surface vessels from the air.

Air superiority: Advanced radar and long-range air-to-air missiles will enhance the Navy’s ability to counter hostile aircraft.

Power projection: Carrier-based fighters will allow India to deploy combat air power at considerable distances from its coastline without depending entirely on overseas airbases.

Deterrence: The combination of advanced carrier-based fighters and modern warships will strengthen India’s ability to deter potential adversaries and respond to maritime contingencies.

The Rafale-M will thus contribute to the Navy’s efforts to maintain a credible presence across the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.

Strengthening the India-France strategic partnership

The acquisition also represents an important milestone in the expanding defence partnership between India and France.

France has emerged as one of India’s principal defence partners, with cooperation spanning combat aircraft, submarines, naval systems, aerospace technology and defence research.

Apart from the 26 Rafale-M aircraft ordered for the Navy, the Indian Air Force operates 36 land-based Rafale fighters acquired under a separate agreement signed in 2016.

India has also inducted six Scorpene-class submarines under Project 75, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with French technological assistance from Naval Group.

The Rafale-M programme is expected to deepen industrial cooperation through maintenance support, technology transfer and the integration of indigenous weapons.

The agreement also provides opportunities for Indian companies to participate in the aircraft’s maintenance and support ecosystem, strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities.

The arrangement is consistent with India’s broader defence procurement strategy of combining advanced foreign technology with domestic manufacturing, maintenance and technological development.

What happens next?

The successful maiden landing on INS Vikrant is a major achievement, but it does not mean that the Rafale-M has already entered operational service with the Indian Navy.

The ongoing trials will have to establish the aircraft’s suitability for sustained carrier operations and validate several technical and operational requirements.

These include:

• Flight-deck compatibility: Further assessments of the aircraft’s movement, parking, handling and maintenance arrangements aboard the carrier.
• Take-off and landing performance: Validation of operations under different aircraft weights, weather conditions and sea states.
• Aircraft lift modifications: Ensuring that the fighter can be moved safely between the flight deck and hangar.
• Weapons integration: Establishing the necessary arrangements for handling and deploying the aircraft’s weapons, including Indian-origin systems.
• Pilot training: Developing a trained pool of naval aviators qualified for operating the aircraft from aircraft carriers.
• Maintenance infrastructure: Establishing the necessary technical, logistical and engineering support for sustained operations.

Once these requirements are addressed, the Navy will be able to move towards the phased induction and operational deployment of the Rafale-M fleet.

https://x.com/indiannavy/status/2116112357168713918/video/1

The larger significance

The maiden landing of the Rafale-M on INS Vikrant is an important milestone in India’s quest to develop a modern, technologically advanced carrier-based combat aviation capability.

It brings together three important dimensions of India’s defence modernisation: the indigenous construction of a major aircraft carrier, the acquisition of an advanced foreign-origin fighter and the development of the technical and industrial ecosystem necessary to operate and maintain such a sophisticated weapon system.

The Rafale-M will provide the Indian Navy with advanced air defence, maritime strike and precision-attack capabilities, while its commonality with the IAF’s Rafale fleet could offer logistical and maintenance advantages.

Equally important, the successful landing demonstrates progress in adapting an advanced naval fighter to India’s indigenous carrier configuration.

The October 29 achievement is therefore not merely about a French fighter touching down on an Indian aircraft carrier. It marks an important step in India’s transition towards a more capable, self-reliant and strategically flexible carrier-based naval aviation force.