The Indian Navy is preparing to purchase new carrier-based fighters. Contract for the purchase of French
What is known
Tomorrow, July 13, Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi (Narendra Modi) will visit France. It is expected that during the two-day visit he will sign a contract for the purchase of 26 Rafale M carrier-based fighters. Information that India wants to order French aircraft instead of the American F / A-18 Super Hornet appeared in December last year.
The navy of the Asian country wantsreceive SINGLE PLANTS. 18 fighters will be part of the strike group of the new aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, while the rest will go to the air base and will be used for pilot training.
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Rafale M will be a replacement for MiG-29K fightersand MiG-29KUB. In recent years, Russian aircraft have had problems with operational suitability. In the future, India wants to have its own fighter (fifth generation). It is being developed under the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program.
Meanwhile, France itself is consideringthe possibility of abandoning the Rafale M, which are carriers of ASMP-A missiles with nuclear warheads. The reason is the low efficiency of carrier-based fighters. Planes rarely fly and launch rockets, but require a large investment in maintenance.