India may buy Rafales for its aircraft carriers

Navy plans to buy 26 MRCBFs, so that INS Vikrant has more strike options

- AJAI SHUKLA

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, the Navy's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1), is undergoing lengthy sea trials, after which it will enter operational service late this year. With the 45 Russian MiG-29K/KUB fighters notorious for their unreliability, the Navy plans to urgently procure 26 multi-role carrier-borne fighters (MRCBF) from an international vendor, so that INS Vikrant has more strike options besides the unreliable MiG-29s.

With INS Vikrant likely to be followed by a second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2) named INS Vishal, another 31 MRCBFs will be acquired to operate off its deck, taking the MRCBF acquisition to 57 fighters.

The Boeing Company (Boeing), the leading contender to supply the MRCBFs, says the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters it is offering are significantly more attractive than the carrier-borne Rafale variant - the Rafale Marine — which French company, Dassault Aviation, is offering.

Alain Garcia, Boeing Defense's business development chief in India, says the Super Hornet offers major operational advantages. The Indian Navy's tender for 26 MRCBFs requires eight twin-seat and only 18 single-seat variants. That is not a problem for Boeing, whose F-18s are all designed -the single-seat F/A-18E and the twin-seat F/A-18F — to be capable of carrier-deck operations.