US defense major Boeing plans to conduct an operational demonstration of the F-18 Super Hornet carrier-based fighter at its shore-based test facility (SBTF) located at INS Hansa in Goa in April and May of this year to be possible contenders for India’s Navy’s single airship carrier INS Vikramaditya. It is also expected to be launched INS Vikrant. Both Indian aircraft carriers employ ski-jumps to launch fighters and then recover them by netting.
According to the officials who are aware of the issue in Washington as well as in New Delhi, the US Navy held ski-jump tests for the F-18 fighters in the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland in the US and Pax river in December 2020 however of course, the Indian Navy team could not be present because of travel restrictions because of an outbreak of the virus coronavirus. However it was reported that it was reported that the US Navy shared extensive data about the ski-jump trials to Indian Navy officials. Indian Navy. In December 2021 both and the US Navy and the aircraft manufacturer conducted an inspection of the site of SBTF at INS Hansa in the presence of Indian Navy officials.
While the current operational demonstration of Rafale-Marine is taking place at INS Hansa, which is the second choice to Indian carrier aircraft, the two of twin engine aircraft are identical in time period and are of the same 4.5 generation.
Although it is true that the Indian Navy will be evaluating both of the aircraft as well, they will be evaluating the F-18 is a two-seater fighter, better suited to carrier-based operations to allow better sea orientation. Rafale-M is a one-seater fighter, and it also includes a two-seater training aircraft however it can only be operated from shore.
Another important aspect that is a major advantage of the F-18 is that it is able to accommodate the Ins Vikramaditya or the INS Vikrant lift with wings folded without compromising the operational capabilities.
In the case that of Rafale-M the fighter can only be able to carry a lift once the wings tips of the aircraft are taken off because the wings are not able to fold and the span is larger than an F-18 fighter.
Aviation experts say an adapter platform needs to be fitted to the F-18 Super Hornet as it permits faster movements of jets from decks lower to deck during combat and in high seas conditions.
Even though both France and the US are close friends of India and France, India’s Modi administration will consider the licensing, maintenance and spare parts issue because it is not able to afford to get on the wrong side of an ever-changing security landscape.
No way will this Modi government will not allow India’s autonomy in strategic planning and operational capabilities to be undermined.
