Insta
In Pictures: Aircraft Carrier Vikrant Completes Last Phase Of Trials; MiG-29K Fighter Seen On Deck
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant. (Indian Navy)
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant, has completed the fourth and final phase of sea trials ahead of its scheduled commissioning into the Indian Navy on 15 August this year, the Indian Navy has said.
The Navy has shortlisted Boeing’s F/A-18E Super Hornet and Rafale M aircraft produced by the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation for procurement. Both the aircraft had demonstrated their operational capabilities at the land-based ski-jump facility in Goa, and the Navy is now preparing a detailed report on their performance.
Unsatisfied with the performance of its MiG-29Ks, the Indian Navy had expressed interest in buying new fighters for its carriers in 2017.
Moreover, with the induction of Vikrant in August this year, the Indian Navy will have two aircraft carriers but not enough fighters to keep both warships operational, experts have pointed out.
