Dassault pitches Rafale M for Indian Navy’s IAC-II:IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

[Abingdonboy]

Not going to happen.Mig 29K is the best choice for Naval aviation and judging by history of IN naval aviation they will surely go for a VTOL which is F 35 as a successor of Harrier.we've earned an valuable experience of operationg a VTOL aircraft from a AC.

Even the current Mig 29K is a true air superiority fighter which outclass F 16 blk 52.

With powerful radar,low RCS and long range BVR 90 - 120 km R 27 and R 77/RRV AE it can even shot down a su 30mki and J 11 (minus the jammers).

IN will never go for another V/STOL fighter IMO. The past is the past, there is a reason they threw out the V/STOLs and went for STOBAR and the next natural progression is CATOBAR ie catapults. The MIG-29Ks are fine for the IN's STOBAR carriers INS Vikramditya and Vikrant but won't be able to operate from teh IAC-2 that will have catapults and this is why Dassualt is pitching the Rafale-M.

IMO the Rafale-M has a very good chance as the alternative is the F-35C and I don't think the IN wants that elephant.

In current configurations Rafale M may not be the best choice available in the market, in fact the best is to upgrade Mig-29K to the Mig-35 level and buy them in large numbers.

No Russian fighter can operate from the IAC-2.

 

[Masterhunter]

In current configurations Rafale M may not be the best choice available in the market, in fact the best is to upgrade Mig-29K to the Mig-35 level and buy them in large numbers.

Rafale M is a better choice than MIG29K is u go by Omnirole capability of it. Also there is no navalised version of MIG35 at present. MIG29K in a good air superiority fighter but lacks in EW and avionics. Rafale M is a very good carrier based jet...presently if you exclude F35, u can consider it best till F35 matures. Also Rafale M is certified for STOBAR as well as CATOBAR while MIG29K is only STOBAR capable at present

 

[Abba_Dabba_Jabba]

No Russian fighter can operate from the IAC-2.

Can the IN or Design team go for the sky jump structure on CATOBAR, like a hybrid AC.

 

[Masterhunter]

Can the IN or Design team go for the sky jump structure on CATOBAR, like a hybrid AC.

Nah....highly unlikely

 

[4GTejasBVR]

It could be a blunder if we plan 4th Gen fighter. We need formidable largest carrier to get 5gen capabilities. But adding few 4++ air superiority roles should be looked into. If IAC2 can carry 40 jets 30 should be F35C and the a squadron of Rafale with multiple role capabilities