New Delhi: As the trials of US F-18 Super Hornet are expected to be completed by June 15, focus will be on the recommendation of the Indian Navy to the government for buying 26 carrier-based fighters for INS Vikrant.
According to reports, the Narendra Modi government may purchase the carrier-based fighters under a government-to-government deal on Indian Navy’s recommendation. As India is looking to manufacture fighter aircraft engines under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, it will be a key factor in play as a part of a larger strategic arrangement with the country selected while making the acquisition of carrier-based fighter by the Indian Navy.
As reported, the Defence Ministry is exploring both with France and US for manufacturing the engines. While Safran is keen to manufacture 100 kilo newton engines with Indian entities without any pre-conditions, the use of GE-404 engine in the indigenous Tejas fighter and GE-414 engine being considered for the twin engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) project of the DRDO, India has to navigate through both options before taking the final decision.
In January 2022, the flight test trials of French Rafale-Marine were conducted at the Indian Navy’s shore-based test facility in Goa. The trials of US F-18 Super Hornet are expected to be completed by June 15. Both the fighters are virtually of same vintage and both the manufacturers have maintenance, repairs, and overhaul facilities in India.
The Indian Navy wants 8 twin seater trainers, which can also be used in combat conditions out of the 26 aircraft.
According to sources, India will go for outright G-to-G purchase of the deck-based fighters from either French Dassault or US Boeing, based on the evaluation of Indian Navy’s aviation wing. Both the aircraft have proven track records with F-18 being tested in Afghan and Iraq wars by the US Navy.
