The Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine fighter jet has successfully landed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on its first attempt during ongoing trials off Goa. The landing took place on October 29 and marks an early step towards operationalising the aircraft for naval operations.&nbsp;The Navy shared a video of the landing on its official X handle on Friday, confirming the successful trial."A Rafale Marine aircraft successfully landed onboard the Indian Navy's indigenous Aircraft Carrier #INSVikrant on its maiden attempt on 29 Oct 26. The ongoing trials mark the first steps towards operationalisation of the aircraft in the Indian Navy," the Navy said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A Rafale Marine aircraft successfully landed onboard #IndianNavy's indigenous Aircraft Carrier #INSVikrant on its maiden attempt on 29 Oct 26.

The ongoing trials mark the first steps towards operationalisation of the aircraft in the #IndianNavy. https://t.co/gIZ0h3nl80&mdash; SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://x.com/indiannavy/status/2116112357168713918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forbidden-to-form-govt-with-them-netanyahu-targets-arab-parties-after-israel-polls-as-majority-eludes-both-coalitions-1793363614487">‘Forbidden to form govt with them’: Netanyahu targets Arab parties after Israel polls as majority eludes both coalitions</a><h3>Trials to prepare Rafale Marine for carrier operations</h3>The trials are being conducted in Goa to assess the modifications needed for the Rafale Marine to operate from INS Vikrant, defence officials said earlier.&nbsp;The Indian Navy has signed an agreement with France to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for around Rs 63,000 crore. The deal, signed on April 28, 2025, covers 22 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin by the end of 2028 or early 2029.&nbsp;The agreement also includes pilot training, flight simulators, weapons, equipment and long-term maintenance support. It provides for the transfer of technology to integrate indigenous weapons into the aircraft, in line with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.<h3>Rafale Marine to strengthen India's carrier fleet</h3>Built by French company Dassault Aviation, the Rafale Marine is designed to operate from aircraft carriers and is already used by the French Navy.&nbsp;India currently operates two aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The new aircraft are expected to operate from both carriers and undertake missions such as air defence, maritime strikes, reconnaissance and attacks on targets on land.&nbsp;Their induction is expected to strengthen the Navy's ability to protect its carrier fleet, counter enemy aircraft and maintain control over maritime areas.

The Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine fighter jet has made its maiden landing on INS Vikrant during trials in Goa, marking a key step towards its operational deployment on India's aircraft carriers.

The Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine fighter jet has successfully landed on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on its first attempt during ongoing trials off Goa. The landing took place on October 29 and marks an early step towards operationalising the aircraft for naval operations. The Navy shared a video of the landing on its official X handle on Friday, confirming the successful trial. "A Rafale Marine aircraft successfully landed onboard the Indian Navy's indigenous Aircraft Carrier #INSVikrant on its maiden attempt on 29 Oct 26. The ongoing trials mark the first steps towards operationalisation of the aircraft in the Indian Navy," the Navy said.

The Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine fighter jet has made its maiden landing on INS Vikrant during trials in Goa, marking a key step towards its operational deployment on India's aircraft carriers.

Watch: Rafale Marine makes maiden landing on INS Vikrant, moves closer to induction

New Delhi: The naval variant of France’s Rafale fighter is carrying out flight trials in Goa as India prepares for its formal induction into the Indian Navy, sources have confirmed. The aircraft is conducting a series of test flights to verify that it meets the operational requirements for operations from Indian aircraft carriers, according to sources who spoke to WION. The evaluations form part of the preparatory process before the jets enter service with the Navy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khawaja-asif-flags-bureaucratic-exodus-from-pak-amid-munir-s-growing-clout-loss-of-faith-in-govt-1792579772689">Khawaja Asif flags ‘bureaucratic exodus’ from Pak amid Munir’s growing clout, loss of faith in govt</a>&nbsp;India signed a contract with France in 2025 for 26 Dassault Rafale Marine aircraft. The order comprises 22 single-seat fighters configured for carrier operations and four twin-seat trainer aircraft. The deal, valued at approximately ₹63,000–64,000 crore (about $7.5 billion), also includes training, simulators, weapons, associated equipment and performance-based logistics support. Deliveries are expected to begin from mid-2028 and be completed by around 2030.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-ready-to-resume-three-way-talks-with-us-kyiv-says-kremlin-will-ukraine-war-finally-end-1792597934187">Putin ready to resume three-way talks with US and Kyiv, says Kremlin. Will Ukraine War finally end?</a>&nbsp;The Rafale Marine was selected after evaluation against the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The jets are intended primarily for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with operations also envisaged from INS Vikramaditya. They will gradually replace the Navy’s ageing MiG-29K fleet, which has faced serviceability challenges.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/master-jeweller-vummidi-ethiraj-who-crafted-sengol-dies-at-99-pm-modi-vp-pay-tribute-1792589778976">Master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj who crafted ‘Sengol’ dies at 99; PM Modi, VP pay tribute</a>&nbsp;The acquisition strengthens the Navy’s long-range maritime strike and air defence capabilities. The contract includes provisions for technology transfer to integrate indigenous Indian weapons systems, along with local manufacturing elements such as fuselage production and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. India already operates 36 land-based Rafales with the Air Force, making it the first country outside France to field both variants of the aircraft.

The Rafale Marine was selected after evaluation against the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The jets are intended for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with operations also envisaged from INS Vikramaditya. They will gradually replace the Navy’s ageing MiG-29K fleet.

New Delhi: The naval variant of France’s Rafale fighter is carrying out flight trials in Goa as India prepares for its formal induction into the Indian Navy, sources have confirmed. The aircraft is conducting a series of test flights to verify that it meets the operational requirements for operations from Indian aircraft carriers, according to sources who spoke to WION. The evaluations form part of the preparatory process before the jets enter service with the Navy. Also Read: Khawaja Asif flags ‘bureaucratic exodus’ from Pak amid Munir’s growing clout, loss of faith in govt India signed a contract with France in 2025 for 26 Dassault Rafale Marine aircraft. The order comprises 22 single-seat fighters configured for carrier operations and four twin-seat trainer aircraft. The deal, valued at approximately ₹63,000–64,000 crore (about $7.5 billion), also includes training, simulators, weapons, associated equipment and performance-based logistics support. Deliveries are expected to begin from mid-2028 and be completed by around 2030. Also Read: Putin ready to resume three-way talks with US and Kyiv, says Kremlin. Will Ukraine War finally end? The Rafale Marine was selected after evaluation against the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The jets are intended primarily for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with operations also envisaged from INS Vikramaditya. They will gradually replace the Navy’s ageing MiG-29K fleet, which has faced serviceability challenges. Also Read: Master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj who crafted ‘Sengol’ dies at 99; PM Modi, VP pay tribute The acquisition strengthens the Navy’s long-range maritime strike and air defence capabilities. The contract includes provisions for technology transfer to integrate indigenous Indian weapons systems, along with local manufacturing elements such as fuselage production and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. India already operates 36 land-based Rafales with the Air Force, making it the first country outside France to field both variants of the aircraft.

The Rafale Marine was selected after evaluation against the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The jets are intended for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with operations also envisaged from INS Vikramaditya. They will gradually replace the Navy’s ageing MiG-29K fleet.

Rafale Marine fighter begins flight trials in Goa ahead of Indian Navy induction

India is all set to sign a deal for the purchase of the Naval version of the Rafale Fighter Jets from France. According to the reports, India is planning to procure 26 Rafale naval jets also known as Rafale M from France. Latest batch of Rafale jets will include 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft.

Major boost to Indian Navy: India to buy 26 Rafale M from France | WION Newspoint

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Watch: Rafale Marine makes maiden landing on INS Vikrant, moves closer to induction

Rafale Marine fighter begins flight trials in Goa ahead of Indian Navy induction

Major boost to Indian Navy: India to buy 26 Rafale M from France | WION Newspoint