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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a candid interview with idrw.org, an anonymous serving Indian Naval official has expressed concerns over the suitability of the Rafale M fighter jet for operations on India’s aircraft carriers. According to the official, the decision to procure the Rafale M was made despite known limitations, echoing a pattern observed with the earlier acquisition of the MiG-29K.

One of the significant shortcomings of the Rafale M is its non-foldable wings, which restrict its manoeuvrability and storage on the confined decks of India’s current aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. This design flaw necessitates more deck space for each aircraft, potentially reducing the number of aircraft that can be deployed.

The official highlighted that the Rafale M’s twin-seater trainer variants are not carrier-capable, meaning they must be used exclusively for land-based training. This limitation deprives pilots of the critical hands-on experience needed for solo takeoffs and landings on an aircraft carrier, relying instead on simulations or touch-and-go training to simulate carrier conditions, which is less than ideal.

In contrast, the MiG-29KUB, a twin-seater trainer variant of the MiG-29K, is fully capable of operating from aircraft carriers, offering pilots a more realistic training environment. However, due to several crashes and resultant scarcity, the Indian Navy has had to limit its use, thereby increasing reliance on simulators for pilot training.

The anonymous official drew parallels between the Rafale M acquisition and the earlier procurement of the MiG-29K, noting, “Last time we procured MiG-29K because IAF was already operating it so Navy hoped that will streamline spares inventory and also reduce cost on Pilot training and now the same has been done after selection of the Rafale M.” This statement suggests that logistical and financial considerations have once again overshadowed operational efficiency for the Indian Navy.

The compromises in the Rafale M’s design could impact the Navy’s operational readiness, particularly in terms of aircraft handling and pilot proficiency on carrier decks. The choice to go with a compromised jet might also affect future fleet composition decisions, where the balance between commonality with the IAF and naval-specific requirements might need reevaluation.

While the Rafale M brings advanced combat capabilities to the Indian Navy, these criticisms shed light on the challenges of integrating foreign technology into unique operational environments like aircraft carrier operations. The Navy may need to consider additional measures, such as further modifications to the Rafale M or increased investment in simulation technologies, to mitigate these issues.

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