India to buy 26 fighter jets for aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
India will buy 26 fighter jets for indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant through a government- to- government (G-2-G) deal.
While the flight test trials of options French Rafale-Marine have already been conducted at the Indian Navy s shore- based test facility in Goa this January_ the trials of United States F-18 super hornet fighter are expected to be completed by June 15_ according to Hindustan Times report.
Out of the 26 fighter jets_ the Indian Navy wants eight twin seater trainers_ which can also be used in combat conditions. Both the fighter jets are virtually of same vintage and both the manufacturers have maintenance_ repairs_ and overhaul facilities in India.
Two aircraft have undergone intensive trials at the test facility in Goa but haven't landed on India s sole aircraft carrier_ INS Vikramaditya_ as it's under major maintenance in Karwar and expected to start operations after June.
India s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is undergoing ocean trials and is expected to be commissioned by PM Narendra Modi on August 15_ 2022.
According to South Block officials_ India is not looking to lease fighters for INS Vikrant but will go for outright government-to- government purchase of the deck- based fighters from either French Dassault or United States Boeing_ based on the evaluation of Indian Navy s aviation wing.
Both fighter jets companies have dealt with the Indian Air Force with Dassault selling Rafale jets and Boeing selling P8I anti-submarine warfare platform_ Chinook helicopters and C-17 heavy lift aircraft.
The two aircraft have proven track records with F- 18 being tested in afghanistan and Iraq wars by the US Navy.
.png "Advertisement")
