Rafale Marine Completes First Landing and Take-Off Trials on INS Vikrant

A Rafale Marine fighter jet has successfully landed on and taken off from India's indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, for the first time. Officials familiar with the development reported the milestone, noting that it represents an initial step toward operationalising the fighter jets on the carrier ahead of their official induction into the Indian Navy.

Prior to these sea trials, French pilots conducted similar testing phases at a shore-based test facility located in Goa, following a formal contract signed the previous year.

Procurement and Fleet Context

• Order Details: In April 2025, India finalized an order for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France to serve aboard the Navy's aircraft carriers.
• Delivery Timeline: Manufacturing company Dassault Aviation is scheduled to begin deliveries in 2029, with completion expected by 2031 under a contract valued at Rs 63,000 crore.
• Current Operations: INS Vikrant currently operates Russian-origin MiG-29K aircraft using a STOBAR (short take-off but arrested recovery) system, which features a ski-jump for launch and arrestor wires for recovery.

Specifications of INS Vikrant

Commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2022, INS Vikrant was constructed over a 13-year period at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore.

• Design and Capacity: The 45,000-tonne vessel measures 262 metres in length, contains 15 decks and 2,300 compartments, and supports a crew of 1,600 alongside up to 30 aircraft.
• Indigenization: The carrier features 76% indigenous content and boasts an operational endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.
• Naval History: INS Vikrant is India's fourth operational aircraft carrier, following earlier British and Russian-origin vessels in the nation's naval history.

Verification and Broader Context

Official announcements regarding the sea trials serve as the primary source for this milestone. Observers looking to verify further details can monitor official releases from the Indian Navy and the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile, the broader military aviation sector continues to see developments, including the Indian Air Force's separate procurement initiatives involving Rafale variants and domestic manufacturing discussions.