How different is the Rafale aircraft received by the Indian Navy from the Rafale jet of the Air Force? Understand everything from A to Z

New Delhi: 26 Rafale fighter jets are to be purchased from France for the Indian Navy. This is Rafale-M i.e. Rafale-Marine. However, the Indian Air Force already has Rafale fighter jets from France. But these two Rafale jets are completely different. While an Air Force fighter pilot has to take off and land from a runway or a landing ground, a Navy fighter pilot has to take off and land from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Therefore, fighter jets and helicopters for the Navy are different from those for the Air Force.Long runway in ground airbase
Airbases on land generally have long runways. Landing a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier floating in the middle of the ocean and taking off from there is quite exciting, but also difficult. If we talk about India’s indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant, there is a 14 degree raised ramp in one corner of its flight deck. Just like jumping into a swimming pool. Aircraft take off from here. Looking at the deck of the aircraft, it seems that how the aircraft coming at high speed will land in it.

Actually, there are three thick wires between the runways in the flight deck, which are connected to the arresting gear system. When the aircraft lands, it will hook any of these three wires into a hook located below the aircraft. As soon as the hook gets stuck, this system will work and will rotate in reverse due to which the speed of the aircraft reduces and it lands on the short runway. If the hook does not get stuck on any of these wires, then the aircraft has to circle in the air and try landing again.

22 single seater in 26 Rafale-M
Therefore, the Navy conducted complete trials of Rafale-M and then decided to adopt it. Of the 26 Rafale-M to be taken for the Indian Navy, 22 will be single seater and four will be trainer aircraft. Currently the Navy has MiG-29K fighter aircraft to operate from the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant. But these are getting old. After price negotiation, a revised bid has been given again for Rafale-M. There has also been talk of integrating indigenous weapon systems. Now the approval of the Defense Ministry will be taken again and then the approval of CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) will be required. The Navy also has Seeking, Chetak helicopters, MH-60 to operate from aircraft carriers.