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Rafale Marine Lands on INS Vikrant for First Time During Navy Trials

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A Rafale Marine fighter aircraft has completed its first landing on INS Vikrant, marking a milestone in India's carrier aviation programme.

Rafale Marine Makes First Landing on INS Vikrant During Indian Navy Trials

By News National Editorial Team

India's naval aviation programme has reached an important milestone after a Rafale Marine fighter aircraft successfully landed on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant for the first time.

The development marks the beginning of important integration and deck-compatibility trials for the French-built carrier-based fighter aircraft.

According to reports published on October 30, the aircraft completed its first landing attempt successfully during the ongoing trials.

The Indian Navy described the activity as an important early step towards the operationalisation of the Rafale Marine aircraft in its fleet.

Why is the landing important?

Landing a fighter aircraft on an aircraft carrier is considerably more demanding than landing on a conventional runway.

Carrier-based aircraft must operate within limited deck space and use specialised systems to land safely on a moving vessel.

The trials help assess the aircraft's compatibility with the carrier, including its ability to approach, land, operate and take off under naval conditions.

The successful landing on INS Vikrant is therefore an important technical milestone, although it does not mean that the aircraft has already entered full operational service.

India's Rafale Marine agreement

India signed an agreement with France in April 2025 for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft.

The planned fleet includes 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainer aircraft, according to the procurement announcement.

The aircraft are intended to strengthen the Indian Navy's carrier-based combat capabilities.

They will support missions such as air defence, maritime strike, reconnaissance and other operations required to protect India's maritime interests.

INS Vikrant's role

INS Vikrant is India's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. It provides the Navy with a platform for operating fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters at sea.

Integrating a modern carrier-based fighter is an important part of developing the carrier's full operational capability.

The next stages will involve further testing and evaluation before the Rafale Marine aircraft can be formally inducted and deployed.

The successful first landing is a significant achievement, but the Navy will need to complete the remaining trials before the aircraft becomes a regular operational component of the carrier group.

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