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SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s recent agreement to procure 26 Rafale M fighters from France marks a significant step not just in bolstering its naval air fleet but also in setting a benchmark for the development of indigenous aircraft like the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). This deal, valued at approximately $7 billion, provides a unique opportunity for the Indian Navy to learn, adapt, and innovate, potentially leading to a domestically developed fighter that could match or even surpass the capabilities of the Rafale M.

With the Rafale M, the Indian Navy gains direct exposure to a state-of-the-art, carrier-capable fighter jet. This acquisition allows naval aviators to understand the operational nuances of a multirole, maritime fighter, providing insights into what is required in terms of performance, durability, and versatility in naval combat scenarios. These operational experiences will be invaluable for setting the performance parameters for the TEDBF.

The Rafale M’s advanced avionics, including its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare capabilities, and weapons systems, offer a baseline for technological development. By studying these components, Indian engineers can aim to develop or adapt similar technologies for the TEDBF, potentially improving upon them with indigenous innovations.

The Rafale M’s design is already optimized for carrier operations, offering lessons in aircraft carrier integration, from take-off and landing methods to maintenance procedures under naval conditions. This knowledge transfer will be crucial for the TEDBF, especially considering its intended role on India’s aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

The presence of Rafale M will necessitate training programs for pilots and maintenance crews, which could be tailored to also encompass the development of skills needed for the TEDBF. This dual focus on foreign and indigenous systems can lead to a more skilled workforce capable of handling complex next-generation aircraft.

Although direct reverse engineering isn’t usually part of such deals, the presence of the Rafale M allows for a deeper understanding of complex systems, which can inform design choices and technology integration in TEDBF. Moreover, any technology transfer agreements could provide foundational knowledge for local research and development.

Operating the Rafale M will expose the Indian Navy to advanced maintenance practices, logistics management, and the supply chain required for high-performance fighters. These lessons can be directly applied to ensure the TEDBF program benefits from streamlined logistics and robust maintenance protocols from the outset.