Rafale Marine Jet Completes First Landing on INS Vikrant

The Indian Navy successfully completed the first landing of a Rafale Marine fighter jet on the INS Vikrant, India's indigenous aircraft carrier, on October 29, 2026. The aircraft landed on its maiden attempt during trials designed to validate the French-made jet's compatibility with India's Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) ski-jump system, which differs from the catapult-assisted launches used in France.

This operation follows preliminary trials conducted at the Shore-Based Test Facility at INS Hansa in Goa. The milestone is a key step in a defense agreement signed on April 28, 2025, valued at approximately Rs 63,000 crore. The contract covers the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft, consisting of 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers.

The agreement includes provisions for technology transfer to support indigenous weapon integration and the creation of production facilities within India. Delivery timelines for the fleet vary by source, with some estimates placing completion by 2030 and others suggesting late 2028 or early 2029.