Rafale M Lands on INS Vikrant for First Time

The fighter landed on INS Vikrant’s deck on its first try, completing a milestone the Indian Navy says begins the path to using it at sea. The Rafale M landed on October 29, and the Navy shared video of the test on Friday. It was the French-built jet’s first landing on India’s home-built carrier. ^1,9

That first landing followed trials at a shore-based test site at INS Hansa in Goa, where a ski-jump ramp lets crews practise carrier launches and landings on land. The Navy must now check how the Rafale M handles the carrier’s approach, stopping wires and deck operations. India ordered 26 of the aircraft from France in April 2025: 22 fighters and four two-seat trainers. The deal is worth about ₹63,000 crore. ^2,5

Those 26 jets are meant for India’s two carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Both use ski-jumps to launch aircraft and wires to stop them on landing. That setup differs from the catapult system on France’s Charles de Gaulle, where the Rafale M was designed to fly. Trials must show the aircraft can operate safely from India’s carriers. Once in service, the jets will add air defence and strike options at sea, and may replace ageing MiG-29K fighters. The Navy already operates 36 land-based Rafales through the Indian Air Force, offering some shared support and supplies. ^1,8

The next step is to complete carrier trials before the Navy can bring the aircraft into service. Published reports give different delivery timelines. Some expect the first jets in late 2028 or early 2029, while others say deliveries will begin in 2029 and finish by 2030 or 2031. The October landing shows that a key part of testing is underway, but does not mean the jets are ready for combat. ^2,3,6