The Indian government announced the selection of the Rafale to equip the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with the French multirole fighter.
As we reported a few days ago, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Paris, invited by his French counterpart to the Bastille Day celebrations, the formal announcement was made of the selection of the Rafale as the winner of the MRCBF (Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters) program through which the Indian Navy is seeking to acquire 26 multirole fighters.
Following an international competition launched by the Indian authorities, this decision comes after a successful test campaign held in India, during which the navy’s Rafale proved that it fully met the operational requirements of the Indian Navy and was perfectly adapted to the specificities of its aircraft carrier.
The 26 Rafale for the Indian Navy will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France, operating both versions of the aircraft.
The company stresses that this selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France.
“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of our partnership with the Indian Forces, I would like to thank the Indian authorities for this new mark of confidence and pledge, on behalf of Dassault Aviation, that we will fully meet the Indian Navy’s expectations with the Rafale”, said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
