New Delhi:
Indian Navy will soon get 26 Rafale-Am Fighter AircraftA significant upgradation in its fighter fleet over a decade. Sources told NDTV that the government-government deal worth Rs 63,000 crore would be signed soon to finalize the deal.
The Navy currently operates MIG -29K fighter jet for its two aircraft carriers – INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The Navy will include 26 Rafale-Am Fighter Jets-22 single-seater fighters and four double-seater trainer aircraft.
“Rafael – A Kinetic Push”
Former Chief of Navy Staff, Admiral arun prakashTalked to NDTV on the induction of Rafale fighter jets, stating how it would “add” kinetic push “to the Navy’s striking power. The former Navy chief also spoke on the deployment of Chinese aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean and argued whether the aircraft carries are more unsafe than the attacks.
On a question about what Rafael joint means for the Navy, Admiral Prakash said, “It is going to add a huge punch, kinetic punch to the striking power of the Indian Navy in many dimensions, air defense, anti-cheap strike, electronic warfare, you name it. Rafale is a generation. Rafale is a generation in the sea.
For an follow -up question on how the fighter adds a punch to the fleet, Admiral Prakash explained, “MiG -29K was a conversion of a land -based fighter, MiG -29. And when we get it, it was in a prototype state. And the weapon that will bear it will make it more capable aircraft than MiG -29.
“This will definitely add to the kinetic punch of the fleet in the sea, to the aircraft carrier. When we acquired Vikramaditya and Vikrant, we in the acquisition of Rafael, or for that case, any other fighter other than the MiG -29K, may not be told to Tajas.”
The Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale fighter jets in two squadron (Golden Arrow) and 101 Squadron (The Falcons) respectively, located in Ambala and Hashimara. The 4.5 generation of multi-rol fighter aircraft is capable of operating all fighter airlines such as air-air -port, ground attack mission, electronic warfare, etc.
According to its manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, all variants – Rafael C (Air Force) and Rafael -M (Marine) have maximum airframes and equipment equality.
‘MiG -29 was a hobson’s choice for us’
Admiral Prakash, who was closely involved during the induction of INS Vikramaditya, further explained the reason behind the induction of MiG -29 in the Navy and said that it was “Hobson’s choice for us”.
INS Vikramaditya was an Kiev-Class Aircraft carrier and was named Admiral Gorskov in Russia. Gorskov’s acquisition from 1994, and 10 years later, in 2004, a deal between India and Russia was signed.
Admiral Arun Prakash looked at the induction of the aircraft carrier in the Navy. Speaking to NDTV, the former Navy chief said, “When we were talking to Gersakov, which later became Vikramaditya. It was in the end of the 1990s. Then, first, first, no ski-jump aircraft besides C Harrier, there was no ski-competent aircraft available, which we were already.
“Our choice was limited. And then, when we started a conversation for Vikramaditya -Gorashkov, MiG -29 was more or less a Hobson’s choice for us. So we had to take it. The MIG-29K fighter jets were inducted into the Naval fighter fleet in 2013, and in 2016, India phased out the last remaining maritime header after nearly 30 years.
Boeing F/A -18 Super Hornet conducted an operational demonstration test at Ski -Jump facility at INS Hansa in Goa in 2022. However, with India’s decision to choose an option for Rafael, the US fighter jet failed to secure a place in the Indian Air Force or Navy.
Admiral Prakash said that the Rafale fighter jets would be an additional in addition to the naval version of India-made Tejas fighter Jet, which is still in the test for sea and future twin engine deck-based fighters (TEDBF).
In its 2015 report, the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) highlighted issues with MIG-29K airframe, its RD MK-33 engine and its fly-by-wire system, and said “the aircraft was being technically accepted despite anomalies/discrepancies.”
Chinese threat in Indian Ocean?
On the question of whether the Chinese carrier in the Indian Ocean region was some time ago before the deployment of warfare, Admiral Prakash said, “Yes, the fact that we have not seen a Chinese task force in our water, because they are short of air cover, integral air cover. For their forces, marine forces, I do not have doubt in our water.
“The fact is that they have got birthting facilities in Djibouti, where they have established their first foreign base, which means that they have got their own logistic support, not only in Pakistan (Gwadar Port), who is an associate.”
China has two aircraft carriers – Lioning and Shandong – East is a Soviet era aircraft carriers, commissioned by Beijing in 2012, and later it is its first domestic manufactured carrier. The third aircraft carrier, Fujian, is the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in China, built with a powerful aircraft launching system. Fujian reduced sea tests and has not yet been commissioned.
In its latest report on the US Department of Defense, Chinese Navy modernization, Beijing has allegedly manufactured a fourth aircraft carrier similar to Fujian and is expected to be nuclear-managed.
Admiral Prakash said that if China falls into our water, the nearest base is at least 3,000 knots in Honan, causing an extended logistics to be made.
Series for them. So if there is a need for them for technical assistance and logical support, then the “Djibouti is a great assurance” for the Chinese Navy and “if they get a gwadar, it will be a bonus.”
Are aircraft carrier more vulnerable to attacks?
Admiral Arun Prakash was a Navy Aviator and a Bravery Award recipient. He was one of the two pilots who were deputed to the Indian Air Force during the 1971 war, where he flew to Hawker Hunters and was honored with a heroic chakra for the air action.
Admiral Prakash disagreed with the argument that the aircraft carriers are insecure, especially running. Russia-Ukraine War And drone attacks from Hauthis on naval platforms in the Red Sea.
“Well, naturally, an aircraft carrier is probably the most protected warship. It has a fighter cover. It has radar coverage. It has submarine antimarine helicopters. Therefore, an aircraft carrier protects the rest of the fleet. It is wrong to think that it requires escorts.
“First, hawthis are firing ballistic missiles, I don’t know how capable those missiles are in the American aircraft carrier. They all have been shot. No US naval carriers have been affected yet.”
“Secondly, Iran launched a few hundred missiles in Israel in recent times. Most of the missiles were shot not only by the Israeli iron dome system, but by the US Navy ships, parked in the Eastern Mediterranean. His opponent-ballistic missile rescue was shot dead by Iran.”
“This fear of the aircraft carrier is susceptible to missile attacks now, I think, more or less proved otherwise. The aircraft carriers can defend themselves … So, let’s do, let’s do not make themselves more frightened about the vulnerability of the aircraft carrier. They have a lot,” Admiral Prakash said.
