Source: BS
Context: India is set to finalize the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets, manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, for deployment on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and potentially INS Vikramaditya.
About Rafale-M:
- Manufactured By: Designed and built by Dassault Aviation, a French aerospace company.
- Features:
- Multi-role, single-seat 4+ generation fighter aircraft with advanced avionics and AESA radar.
- Capable of deep strikes, air defense, reconnaissance, and maritime operations.
- Equipped with advanced armaments like Meteor, Multi-mission air-to-air missile system (MICA), SCALP missiles, and EXOCET anti-ship weapons.
- Differences from Air Force Rafale:
- Heavier airframe due to additional reinforcements for naval operations.
- Optimized radar and electronic warfare systems for maritime applications.
- Enhanced landing capabilities for Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) and Short Take-Off, Barrier Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) systems.
- Shared Features with Air Force Rafale:
- Common suite of armaments and avionics, ensuring cost efficiency in maintenance and logistics.
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