INS Vikrant undergoes modifications for Rafale M induction
The Indian Navy's domestically built aircraft carrier has received flight deck changes to facilitate the landing of naval Rafale fighter jets.
The Indian Navy's INS Vikrant has undergone modifications to its flight deck to prepare for the induction of the Rafale M fighter jet, according to the Times of India. The 45,000-tonne ship recently hosted the first landing of the aircraft on its sailing airbase.
A triangle landing aid, similar to the one used on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, was made on the ship. This marking serves as a supplementary visual reference for pilots to judge their approach and does not replace the existing optical landing system.
The Rafale M completed its first landing on the carrier on October 29 at the first attempt. This occurred seven days after trials started at the INS Hansa shore-based test facility in Goa, which simulates a carrier's arresting wires and ski-jump.
The Rafale M is one of 26 naval variants scheduled for induction from 2028 onwards. India ordered the 26 jets for approximately Rs 63,000 crore in April 2025.
While the landing demonstrates that the ship and aircraft can work together, work is currently underway to modify the ship's lifts. This is because the Rafale M has non-folding wings measuring about 10.9 metres across, which makes movement between the hangar, lifts, and deck more difficult.
A second flight campaign is planned for next year. Deck handling, maintenance, and weapons integration must still be proven before the jets are ready for operations.