Indonesia has also recently placed orders for a total of 42 Dassault Rafale fighters. But the F-15EX is very different — being in a much higher weight class, to begin with. The export version of the aircraft delivered to Indonesia will be designated the F-15IDN.
With the selection of the Rafale Marine by the Indian Navy, here’s a look at how it happened, and the challenges and consequences ahead.
Boeing already provides simulation training for the crews of India’s C-17 heavy-lift and P-8I maritime aircraft, which are both also under Performance Based Logistics contracts to guarantee availability of platforms.
Between the navy’s own maintenance facilities at INS Rajali and MRO contractors, Air Works and AIES, India’s P-8I aircraft can now be fully sustained with complete maintenance cycles without having to leave the country.
Boeing has announced the end of production for the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters in 2025. With no scope for early Rafale M deliveries, here’s how this could become an opportunity for the Indian Navy to get all 26 of its new Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters by the end of 2026.
The acquisition of the S-400, differing points of view on the war in Ukraine, eye-watering costs, a domestic 5th gen fighter program and never having operated any U.S. fighter aircraft are some of the reasons why India can’t and shouldn’t consider the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
HAL has had extensive experience in supporting the Honeywell TPE 331 family of engines, a variant of which powers the MQ-9B Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
Bharat Dynamics will be able to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided solution for India’s WSI (Weapons System Integrated) Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters and Prachand Light Combat Helicopters.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to a workshare on the joint development of the engine intended for the future 13-ton IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) and its naval version DBMRH (Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter).
The U.S. is the only country to send fighter aircraft to Aero India 2023. Other U.S. fighters at Aero India 2023 include two Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets and two Lockheed Martin F-16s.
Rosoboronexport is also featuring the the Ka-226T light utility helicopter, which is planned to be produced by the joint venture, Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited, under the Make in India program.
Rafael’s systems on exhibit include I-Derby Missiles, RecceLite Reconnaissance Pods, Litening Advanced Targeting Pods, the SPICE Family of Air-to-Surface Missiles, the SPIKE Missile Family, and the BNET Tactical Communications system.
The debutante tactical airlifter can carry 26 tons of cargo at a speed of 470kts with missions that include Air-to-Air (in-flight) Refuelling, airborne operations and troop & cargo transportation, and has been designed to operate in austere environments.
Leading U.S. defence companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc, Pratt & Whitney, and TW Metals, LLC will be exhibiting at the show.
The organisers expect around 500,000 visitors to the show being held over five days from February 13. The show will be open to public visitors on February 16th and 17th.
