Indian Navy evaluates trial reports of fighter aircraft for USD 4 billion deal

The Indian Navy is evaluating extensive trial reports of fighter jets for buying 26 combat aircraft for operations on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy is evaluating extensive trial reports of fighter jets for buying 26 combat aircraft for operations on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in the USD 4 billion deal. The two contenders for the contract are the French aircraft Rafale and the American F-18.

“The trial team submitted its report to the naval headquarters recently after carrying out extensive trials at its Goa-based facility. The evaluation process is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed very soon,” top government sources told India Today TV.

The two contenders in the tender have given extensive details of their planes to the Navy and all the issues would be taken into consideration before arriving at the plane to be shortlisted for the carrier-based operations, they said. The aircraft are required for operations on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, the sources said.

The Navy earlier required 57 planes for operations on both the carriers, but the requirement was cut short by more than half in support of indigenous planes.