Deliveries of the 26 aircraft are expected by the end of 2028 or early 2029
The Indian Navy has begun trials of the Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jet in Goa, to check how well the aircraft can take off and land on an aircraft carrier. The trials are part of preparations for operating the jet from INS Vikrant.
Why the trials matter
Defence officials said the trials are meant to validate the modifications needed for the French-made fighter to work from India’s carriers. They will also help the Navy judge whether the carriers themselves need small changes to handle the jet smoothly.
India’s carriers use a system known as STOBAR, or short take-off but arrested recovery. Aircraft launch from a ski-jump ramp and land with the help of steel arrestor wires on the deck. The Goa tests check whether the Rafale-M can launch from the ramp and land safely using those wires.
Built for carrier operations
The Rafale-M has a reinforced airframe, strengthened landing gear and a specialised landing hook, along with folding wings and an anti-corrosion coating. These features let it operate from a carrier and land with the help of arrestor wires.
The Navy plans to operate the jet from both INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, so trials with Indian carriers are an important step before it joins the fleet.
The deal
India has signed a contract for 26 Rafale-M jets, made up of 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers. Deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2028 or early 2029, according to officials. It is the first international order for the naval variant of the Rafale, and the package also includes extra equipment for the Rafale jets already flown by the Indian Air Force.
The jet is equipped with an arsenal that includes Meteor and MICA missiles for air-to-air combat, SCALP cruise missiles for deep strikes, AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions.
What it adds
The induction of the Rafale-M is expected to boost INS Vikrant’s combat capability and strengthen India’s maritime air power in the Indian Ocean region. The aircraft will help the Navy target enemy fighters, protect the fleet’s air defence and exercise control over the seas while staying outside enemy weapon ranges.
Next steps
Defence media reports say a French Navy pilot is due to land a Rafale-M on INS Vikrant before the end of 2026, followed by a second campaign early next year. Indian Navy pilots and technical teams will be trained in France before the aircraft arrive.
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