Rafale-Marine fighter jet during trials in Goa as the Indian Navy evaluates its suitability for operations from INS Vikrant.
GOA: The Indian Navy has begun trials of the Rafale-Marine fighter aircraft at the Shore-Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa to assess its suitability for operations from India’s aircraft carriers, including INS Vikrant.
The development was widely reported on October 21, 2026, citing defence and security sources. The Navy is also examining possible modifications to its aircraft carriers to accommodate the French-made fighter, according to the report.
India signed an agreement with France in April 2025 to procure 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for approximately ₹63,000 crore. The agreement covers 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat aircraft, along with weapons, simulators, training and logistics support. The Ministry of Defence has set 2030 as the deadline for completing deliveries.
Why are the Rafale-Marine trials being conducted?
The trials at INS Hansa are intended to evaluate the aircraft against the requirements of India’s carrier-based aviation operations.
India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, use the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system. Under this arrangement, aircraft take off using a ski-jump ramp and land with the help of arresting wires.
France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, from which the Rafale-M currently operates, uses catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery. The Indian Navy therefore needs to assess the aircraft’s suitability for its own carrier configuration.
The Rafale-M has previously undergone ski-jump trials at INS Hansa. In January 2022, two French Navy Rafale-M aircraft were tested at the facility as part of India’s evaluation of carrier-based fighter options. The aircraft was subsequently selected for the Navy’s requirement.
The latest trials are a separate stage in the programme, following the selection and procurement agreement.
According to The New Indian Express, the Navy is also considering minor modifications to its carriers because the Rafale-M has non-folding wings and a wingspan of approximately 10.9 metres. This creates a space-management consideration when aircraft are moved around the flight deck or stored in the hangar.
The extent of any modifications will depend on the Navy’s technical assessment. The report does not establish that the modifications have already been approved or completed.
India-France deal: 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft
India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement on April 28, 2025, for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
The approximately ₹63,000-crore package includes:
- 22 single-seat Rafale-M fighters.
- Four twin-seat aircraft intended for training.
- Weapons and associated equipment.
- Flight simulators and training for personnel.
- Performance-based logistics support.
- Additional equipment for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet.
The contract also includes provisions for technology transfer to support the integration of indigenous weapons, an Indian production facility for Rafale fuselage sections, and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for engines, sensors and weapons.
According to the Ministry of Defence, deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2030, with personnel undergoing training in France and India. Some media reports have indicated that deliveries could begin in 2028 or 2029, but the officially stated completion deadline remains 2030.
The procurement will make India the first operator of the naval Rafale outside France. The Indian Air Force already operates 36 land-based Rafale fighters.
Rafale-Marine: Key technical features
The Rafale-M is the naval version of France’s Rafale multirole fighter. It is designed for carrier-based operations and can perform air-defence, maritime-strike and reconnaissance missions.
Radar and electronic warfare: The aircraft uses the Thales RBE2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for detecting and tracking targets. Its SPECTRA electronic-warfare suite provides threat warning and defensive countermeasures.
Air-to-air weapons: The Rafale-M is compatible with the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the MICA missile family. These weapons support interception and air-defence missions, subject to the aircraft’s operational configuration and clearances.
Precision-strike capability: The Rafale family can employ precision-guided air-to-ground weapons, including SCALP-EG stand-off missiles and HAMMER precision-guided weapons. The exact weapons cleared for India’s naval fleet will depend on the contracted configuration and subsequent integration and certification.
Carrier-specific design: The naval variant has reinforced landing gear and an arresting hook to withstand the demands of carrier landings. It is designed to operate in the challenging conditions associated with naval aviation.
According to Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-M has a wingspan of 10.9 metres, a length of 15.3 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 24.5 tonnes.
Its actual range and payload depend on the mission profile, fuel load, weapons carried and operating conditions. The availability of a particular weapon on another Rafale variant does not automatically mean it has been cleared for India’s Rafale-M fleet.
How will the Rafale-M strengthen the Indian Navy?
The Indian Navy currently operates Russian-origin MiG-29K fighters from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The Rafale-M acquisition is intended to strengthen the Navy’s carrier-based combat capability and expand its options for air defence and maritime strike.
The 26-aircraft acquisition is primarily intended to equip INS Vikrant, with the aircraft also planned for operations from INS Vikramaditya. The four twin-seat aircraft are intended for training and should not be counted as 26 operational carrier-based fighters.
The Rafale-M will complement the existing MiG-29K fleet rather than immediately replace it. The Navy will need to receive the aircraft, train personnel, establish maintenance arrangements and complete the necessary operational clearances before the jets can enter full service.
The acquisition will also provide the Navy with access to advanced radar and electronic-warfare systems, alongside a range of air-to-air and precision-strike weapons.
Make in India and indigenous weapons
The Rafale-M agreement includes measures intended to expand India’s domestic defence manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the agreement provides for technology transfer to support the integration of indigenous weapons. It also includes plans for an Indian facility to manufacture Rafale fuselage sections and for maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities covering engines, sensors and weapons.
These arrangements are intended to support the aircraft throughout its service life while creating opportunities for Indian companies and micro, small and medium enterprises.
However, technology transfer and contractual provisions do not mean that all indigenous weapons have already been integrated and cleared for operational use. Such integration requires testing and certification.
What happens next?
The current trials will help the Navy assess the Rafale-M’s suitability for India’s carrier configuration and determine whether changes to existing carrier arrangements are necessary.
The programme will subsequently involve aircraft deliveries, personnel training, weapon integration and the establishment of maintenance and logistical support.
The Ministry of Defence has set 2030 as the deadline for completing delivery of all 26 aircraft. The exact timeline for operational induction will depend on the progress of these activities and the completion of the required clearances.
The trials in Goa mark another step towards introducing the Rafale-M into Indian naval aviation. The programme combines a French-designed fighter with India’s existing carrier infrastructure, while the Navy works to establish the technical and operational arrangements required for deployment.
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