26 Aircraft to Join Existing Rafale Fleet
On 14 July, the Indian government announced selection of the naval variant of the Rafale to equip the Indian Navy with a latest generation fighter. The decision follows a multinational competition and an exhaustive set of trials in India, during which the platform proved its suitability and compatibility with the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier.
The government has ordered 26 aircraft, which will shortly start to join the 36 Rafale already in service with the Indian Air Force, making India the first nation (other than France) to use the aircraft to equip its air force and naval aviation fleets.
“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“, commented Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
