New Delhi: It is almost a decade to get indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter planes, but before that, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre will procure 26 carrier-based fighter jets on a government-to-government (G-2-G) basis on the recommendation of the Indian Navy. These fighter jets will soon be deployed at INS Vikrant, which will be inducted into the Navy. In January this year, the flight test of French Rafale-Marine aircraft has already been conducted at the Indian Navy's shore-based test facility in Goa.
With this, the test of the US F-18 Super Hornet is likely to be completed by June 15. Two Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets have arrived in India to showcase their operational capability at the Naval Base in Goa, as the Indian Navy plans to acquire a fleet of fighter jets for its indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant. Out of the 26 aircraft, the Indian Navy needs 8 twin seater trainers, which can be used even in the event of war. Both the fighter aircraft (from France and the US) are virtually of the same vintage and both the manufacturers also have maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in India.
Both the aircraft have been thoroughly tested at the naval base's test facility in Goa, but have not landed on Board India's only aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, as it is being maintained at Karwar and is likely to land again in its operations in June. India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned by PM Narendra Modi on August 15, 2022.
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