On 14 July
2023, the Indian Government announced the selection of the Navy Rafale to equip
the Indian Navy with a latest-generation fighter. Following an international
competition launched by the Indian authorities, this decision comes after a
successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale
demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navy's operational requirements and
was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier.
The Indian
Navy's 26 Rafales will eventually join the 36 Rafales already in service, which
are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first
country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions
of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and on the seas
and guarantee its sovereignty. This selection confirms the excellence of the
Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link between Dassault Aviation and the
Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India
and France.
"As we celebrate the
70th anniversary of our partnership with the Indian Forces, I would like to
thank the Indian authorities for this new mark of confidence and pledge, on
behalf of Dassault Aviation, that we will fully meet the Indian Navy's
expectations with the Rafale", stated Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of
Dassault Aviation.
Text
and images: Dassault
