India will buy 26 Rafale M fighters instead of American F/A-18 Super Hornets to replace Russian MiG-29s

By: Maksim Panasovskyi | 11.12.2022, 19:05
India will buy 26 Rafale M fighters instead of American F/A-18 Super Hornets to replace Russian MiG-29s

The Indian Navy will replace Russian MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighters with French Rafale M.

Here's What We Know

French Rafale M fighters fought against American F/A-18 Super Hornets and were able to win as a result. The Indian military tested Dassault Aviation and Boeing fighters earlier this year.

As part of the tests, the fighters took off from a ground ramp in order to simulate flights from the aircraft carriers Vikramaditya and Vikrant, which are in service with the Indian Navy. After the tests, the Defense Ministry concluded that the French aircraft are better suited to meet the requirements of the Indian Navy.

The contract for the purchase of 26 Rafale M fighters has not yet been signed with the French side. The planes will replace the Russian MiG-29K/KUB, the serviceability of which in recent years has raised many questions. The Navy has 39 MiG-29K/KUB in service.

Source: Scramble