New Delhi: The Indian Navy has decided to test flight trials of US F-18 for INS Vikrant after France made Rafale fighter jets tested in January 2022. As the Indian Navy gears up to purchase a carrier-based fighter jet, American defense giant Boeing appears confident that its F/A-18E Super Hornets Block III / 3 variant would put the French Dassault Rafale out of competition.
The Indian Navy will start the flight trials of Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet carrier-based multi-role fighters at the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa in Goa from May 23 as the US craft is one of the contenders for 26 fighters onboard soon to be commissioned INS Vikrant indigenous aircraft carrier.
The Indian Navy is expected to buy 26 carrier-based multi-role fighters for INS Vikrant with eight of these aircraft two-seaters to be used both for flight training and operations. The Super Hornet is a proven weapon platform with an internal rotary cannon with 11 hardpoints to carry air to air missiles and air to surface missiles as well as laser-guided bunker-busting bombs.
The other contender fighter aircraft for INS Vikrant is expected to be commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2022.
Alain Garcia, vice-president of India business development, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, and Global Services said that “Block 3 is on offer to the Indian Navy and is set to demonstrate its capabilities at the Indian Navy’s Shore Based Test Facility INS Hansa in Goa later this month. Earlier in January, Dassault Rafale had undergone testing at the same facility.”
According to a media report, F-18 Super Hornet Block III Variant – was designed with China in mind, not only has a greater range but also has great abilities than its predecessor.
In case of a conflict between the US and China, the Block III will be able to execute sorties against Chinese targets by loitering beyond the range of China’s hypersonic anti-ship missiles – thanks to conformal, shoulder-hugging, drag-reducing fuel tanks capable of carrying 3,500 pounds of fuel.
(Vinayak)