THE RAFALE-MARINE DEAL FOR INS VIKRANT: TAILORMADE CARRIER FIREPOWER

13 July 2023. India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) F4 Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters (MRCBF) (including 22 single-seater and 4 trainer variants) for the Indian Navy (IN), to operate from the decks of India’s second and only fully indigenous Aircraft Carrier (AC), INS Vikrant.

The IN is presently on the verge of finalising the over-Rs. 63,000 Crores contract, expected to be inked early this year. The finalisation of this contract would render India as the first export customer of the Naval variant of the Dassault Rafale, 36 of which were procured by India from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF) between 2020 and 2022.

India’s 45,000-ton Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)-1, christened INS Vikrant (in honour of the 50th anniversary of participation of its similarly named predecessor in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan conflict), was launched in August 2013. After successful completion of sea-trials, the AC was commissioned by the Hon’ble PM of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 02 September 2022 at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala.
Post commissioning, IAC-1 underwent flight trials for its deck-based fighter, which were completed by mid-2023. The equipping of the INS Vikrant with its complement of carrier-borne fighter aircraft, amongst other aerial support platforms, is an essential prerequisite for the aircraft carrier to achieve full operational status as India’s and the Indian Navy’s second AC, after INS Vikramaditya. On 20 August 2024, INS Vikrant officially joined the Western Fleet and was deployed for a multi-domain exercise involving twin carrier-fighter operations in the Arabian Sea along with the Carrier Battle Group (CBG) led by INS Vikramaditya. INS Vikrant, presently equipped with the aging MiG-29K carrier-borne fighter, received Final Operational Clearance (FOC) on 3 December 2024.

Why did the IN need to Look Towards Global Markets for a Deck-Based Fighter?

In 2017, the IN floated a Request for Information (RFI) for procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters (MRCBF) to replace the current fleet of MIG-29K carrier-based fighters. Boeing’s Fighter/Attack (F/A)-18 E/F Block III Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M were shortlisted among the firms that responded to the RFI.

While avionics, versatility, firepower and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) capabilities would definitely influence the choice of the MRCBF, equally important was the consideration of compatibility with the carrier platform. Since INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya feature the Short Take-Off but Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) Launch System, these aircraft would have to be compatible with the requirement, as well as be capable of Catapult Assisted Take-Off but Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) Launch, which will feature in the IN’s future ACs.
Since then, extensive flight trials involving the MiG-29K and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy (Tejas LCA retrofitted with required modifications for carrier-based operations) were carried out aboard the INS Vikrant. However, the LCA Navy was already designated as a technology-demonstrator in view of the requirement of specialised MRCBF, and the MiG-29K, as reflected in the CAG Report of 2016, has been riddled with safety/operational problems relating to its airframe, engine and fly-by-wire system.
While the present MRCBF requirement has been reduced to 26 in favour of the under-development indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), the circumstances mentioned above necessitated the IN to look towards the global market for a compatible, battle-tested and readily available MRCBF for INS Vikrant.

Why did the IN Shortlist the F/A-18 and the Rafale-M?

Both the IAF and IN operate platforms from Boeing and Dassault Aviation – the IAF operates Rafale and Mirage-2000 fighters manufactured by Dassault Aviation, while both Services operate platforms from Boeing- the IAF operates the C-17 Globemaster Strategic Lift Aircraft, Apache Attack Helicopters and Chinook Heavy-Lift Helicopters and the IN operates the P-8I Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
The urgency to operationalise INS Vikrant led the IN to requisition Boeing and Dassault Aviation to carry out shore-based ski-jump trials representing STOBAR operations, with the Rafale-M and the F/A-18 E/F at IN’s Shore Based Test Facility (STBF) at INS Hansa near Goa.

The ski-jump trials were successful for both types of aircraft.
However, based on the report submitted by the IN to the MoD in December 2022, the Rafale-M has prevailed on the parameters of avionics and carrier-compatibility, discussed below in the article, which led to the Indian Government’s decision to finalise the Rafale-M for procurement as the MRCBF for the INS Vikrant.

The cost negotiations for the Government-to-Government deal were concluded in early February 2025 and India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to clear the contract in the coming weeks. It is expected that the final contract will be inked during the visit of the French Defence Minister to India in April this year. The first jet would be delivered within 37 months after signing of the contract while the balance delivery would be completed within 18 months thereafter.

The deal would also include procurement of the active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), Meteor, the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile, and SCALP-EG low-observable, long-range air-launched cruise missile-all manufactured by the France-headquartered European multinational Missile Development Agency, MBDA; along with performance-based logistics support and crew training, associated ancillary equipment, simulator, spares and IN-specific design alterations.

As regards IN-specific design modifications, the Rafale-M would have folding wings (not present in the ab-initio version) to increase stowage capacity aboard the INS Vikrant. The IN is also looking at a helmet-mounted display, software changes in air-to-sea modes, advanced communication systems, and improved radar warning receivers. While the IN desired the DRDO-developed Uttam AESA Radar and integration of the indigenous ASTRA BVRAAM for the Rafale-M, the same has been negated due to the associated high-costs of integration vis-a-vis procurement of an integrated French munitions package as mentioned above, and the large time-lag involved for the same, which would delay induction to the end of this decade.

The Rafale-M squadron would be based at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam and will form the Carrier Air Group for INS Vikrant.

Features of the Rafale-M

The Rafale-M has been chosen as the stopgap MRCBF for the IN (while awaiting the induction of the TEDBF) for multifarious reasons, including superior avionics, familiarity with operations (since the land-based variant is already in operation for the last two years) and carrier compatibility. These are elucidated below.

Carrier Compatibility. The Rafale-M is 500 Kg heavier than the land-based variant due to a number of modifications. The undercarriage has been reinforced to cope with additional carrier-based landing stresses. It also features an arrestor hook, a built-in ladder and a ‘jump-strut’ nosewheel, which extends during short take-offs and CATOBAR launches. The aircraft also incorporates a carrier-based microwave landing system to assist the aircraft in landing, even in very low visibility conditions. The Rafale-M also incorporates the fin-tip mounted Telemir System for syncing the onboard inertial navigation system to external receivers. The aircraft is well suited to low-speed, low-altitude manoeuvres, a facet essential for carrier-based operations.

Rafale-M Landing with Arrestor Hook Extended Aboard French AC Charles De Gaulle: Source-dassault-aviation.com

Aeronautical Design.  The Rafale-M enjoys a combat range of 1850 Km, which is superior to that of most MRCBF, including the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, over which it enjoys a two-fold edge in this parameter. This facet, when combined with its supercruise capability, would allow operations from well outside surface-to-air (SAM) missile range of China and Pakistan. The Rafale-M also enjoys a high loaded thrust-to-weight ratio, which would translate into greater power available for aerial manoeuvres. The instantaneous turn rate (ITR) of the Rafale is greater than 36º/ second, which is again higher than most MRCBF, including the F/A-18, thus allowing the Rafale-M a tighter turn radius/quicker rate of turn, factors essential for success in close combat. The Rafale-M also has greater G-Limit capability, advantageous in a dogfight/evasive manoeuvre situation. It also enjoys a superior rate of climb, which would aid in short take-off/landing (STOL) from the INS Vikrant.

Radar & Avionics.  Rafale’s Thales AESA Radar has greater range (200 Km against 5m² Radar Cross-Section [RCS], 130 Km against 1m² RCS), target track/engage capability and horizontal tracking angle than the F/A-18’s Raytheon AESA Radar. The Thales AESA also comes with real-time 3D mapping for terrestrial navigation/targeting. The Rafale-M also has a major advantage of voice-controlled cockpit commands and Integrated Cockpit Display, lending to lower pilot fatigue and faster manoeuvrability. The Rafale has the recently acquired Thales Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display, which allows flight data to be cued through the pilot’s field-of-view, thus enhancing situational awareness (SA). The aircraft enjoys multi-sensor data fusion capability, integrating inputs from the sensors, AESA radar and its Spectra Electronic Warfare (EW) System.

Armament.  The large number of hard points on the Rafale-M (13) would mean greater weapon-carrying capability. Additional hard points could also accommodate fuel drop tanks without compromising armament.  The aircraft is also reported to have the capability to mount a twin 30mm autocannon to augment its close-fire capabilities.

Stealth & Survivability. The Rafale airframe is composed of approximately 70% composite material with radar absorbent material (RAM) coating. The airframe is designed with serrated patterns along the trailing-wing/canard edges, concealed turbine blades and a serpentine like air-intake. This significantly reduces the RCS of the aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with the Spectra EW System as earlier mentioned, which provides multi-spectral long-range threat warning, detection and identification, allowing the pilot to instantly select the most effective defensive measures/evasive manoeuvres. The Spectra also allows customisation/updation of threat profile specific to the user country, thus allowing ‘tailor-made survivability’. The Rafale can also deploy towed missile decoys, capable of mimicking the aircraft profile and thus mitigating the threat from missiles with radar-seeker warheads.

Broad Contours of the TEDBF Program

In April 2020, post the decision to retain the LCA Navy as a prototype, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), in collaboration with DRDO,  announced work on the TEDBF. While a model of the TEDBF was unveiled at Aero-India 2021 and showcased at subsequent airshows, its maiden flight is expected by 2028, with induction to only commence in the next decade. This represents a gap in modernisation of the IN’s deck-based fighter profile, which is unacceptable, given China’s burgeoning carrier fleet. China already operates two ACs and has launched its third, the 85,000 ton Type 003 Fujian, in mid-2022. China’s nuclear-propelled Type 004 AC which will carry the J-31 Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, is likely to be commissioned by the end of this decade.

Apropos, as alluded to earlier in this article, the Rafale-M is being seen as a stopgap MRCBF to the much-awaited indigenous TEDBF (read more @ https://chanakyaforum.com/indias-quest-for-an-indigenous-naval-fighter/ ).

The TEDBF Program will draw technology from India’s stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program, including some low-observability (LO) features, Uttam AESA Radar, Infra-Red Track & Scan, avionics and weapon-systems integration.

Model of TEDBF Displayed at Aero India:Source-zona-militar.com

The TEDBF will feature a canard delta wing design, akin to the Rafale-M. The indigenous twin-engine MRCBF will have a LO profile. Its intended roles include air-superiority missions, anti-ship operations, EW, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) missions, and support missions. Stealth (LO) features would include RAM, blended  surfaces to reduce radar cross-section (RCS), and serpentine air-intakes and concealed engine fans to minimize infrared (IR) emissions, thereby enhancing protection against detection by heat-seeking missiles. The TEDBF would also feature adaptations for carrier-based operations, including strengthened landing gear, arrestor mechanism, folding wingtips and high thrust-to-weight ratio for STOBAR/ Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) operations. The TEDBF would also be capable of Air-to Air Refuelling as a donor aircraft. The aircraft is expected to have a maximum take-off weight of 26,000 Kg, wingspan of 11.2 m/ 7.6m (unfolded/folded), top speed of Mach 1.6, combat range of 2000 Km and service ceiling of 60,000 feet. The power-pack would initially be two  US General Electric F-414 Afterburning Turbofan engines, each generating 58.5 kN of dry thrust and 98 kN with afterburners. These could be replaced by an indigenous 110kN powerpack for future productions. The aircraft will have up to 12 hardpoints (2×wingtip, 8×under-wing, and 2×under-fuselage), with a combined payload capacity of 9000 Kg.

The TEDBF Program was granted MoD clearance in December 2024, with CCS clearance expected this year. The Program has reportedly received clearance for an initial tranche of 87 aircraft, with 58 more planned, keeping in mind the envisioned induction of the IN’s third AC (IAC-2), INS Vishal, which would have a displacement of  65,000 tons. This flat-topped AC is envisioned to be equipped with CATOBAR configuration, incorporating an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), presently used in ACs of the US Navy, which accords greater operational flexibility than the STOBAR configuration.

The TEDBF Program would initially develop four prototypes at a cost of  Rs. 14,000 Crores, with 1000 flights envisaged during the test phase. These prototypes would incorporate 14 upgrades over the LCA Navy as proposed by the IN, including automatic landing and take-off capability. Presently, the Preliminary Design Review of the TEDBF is envisaged to be completed by June 2025, followed by the Critical Design Review and Wind-Tunnel Testing phase.

Conclusion

The Rafale-M would provide the much-needed invigoration for the IN’s carrier-fighter fleet, while at the same time allowing the IN to evaluate technologies for incorporation into future tranches of the TEDBF Program, that is expected to cater to IN’s MRCBF needs, well into the middle of the 21^st century.

Cover image: France’s Dassault Rafale-M: Source-naval.com.br