Why in News?

India and France have signed a government-to-government deal worth $7.4 billion (around ₹63,000 crore) for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy.

Earlier, 36 Rafale jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force starting in 2021.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Naval Aviation: An Overview
• Aircraft Carrier: An Overview
• History of Carrier Aviation in India
• Why India Needs Aircraft Carriers
• How Rafale M Will Help the Indian Navy

Naval Aviation: An Overview

• Naval aviation refers to the use of military aircraft by naval forces, operating from aircraft carriers, helicopter-equipped ships, or land bases to support maritime operations.
• Specialised Aircraft and Operations
  • Naval aviation includes aircraft designed for:
    • Short takeoffs and arrested landings on carriers
    • Air-to-air combat and surface/submarine attacks
    • Maritime reconnaissance and search & rescue
    • Logistics and supply missions
• Key Roles of Naval Aviation
• Fleet Air Defence: Protects naval forces beyond the range of land-based air cover.
• Strategic Power Projection: Projects air power globally without relying on land bases.
• Anti-Surface Warfare: Targets enemy ships with air-launched weaponry.
• Support for Amphibious Warfare: Assists in marine landings and inland operations.
• Mine Countermeasures: Detects and neutralizes enemy sea mines using aerial assets.
• Importance
  • Naval aviation is vital for sea control, supporting joint naval-ground operations, and projecting power far from home bases.
  • It comprises carrier-based jets, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.

Aircraft Carrier: An Overview

• An aircraft carrier is a warship that functions as a floating airbase.
• It is equipped with a full-length flight deck and hangar facilities to support, arm, deploy, and recover aircraft.
• Key Functions
  • Seaborne Air Power Projection
    • Enables naval forces to project air power far from land-based airfields, enhancing operational reach.
  • Carrier Battle Groups
    • Often the centerpiece of modern naval warfare, playing a critical role in deterrence, sea control, and achieving air superiority.
• Strategic and Tactical Capabilities
• Adaptability and Survivability: Aircraft carriers can control seas, conduct strikes, and operate across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace.
• Global Presence
  • About 50 active carriers are currently in service worldwide.
  • The United States Navy leads with 11 large nuclear-powered carriers, followed by countries such as Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Russia, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

History of Carrier Aviation in India

• India's carrier aviation began with the commissioning of INS Vikrant in 1961, marking the start of the country's naval aviation journey.
• India continues to expand its carrier fleet, with future plans for additional indigenous carriers.
• Key Aircraft Carriers in India
  • INS Vikrant (1961-1997): India’s first aircraft carrier, operational for several decades.
  • INS Viraat (1987-2017): Served the Indian Navy for 30 years after being commissioned in 1987.
  • INS Vikramaditya (Since 2013): A Russian-origin carrier, currently in service with the Indian Navy.
  • INS Vikrant (Commissioned in 2022): India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, joining the fleet in 2022.

Why India Needs Aircraft Carriers

• Strategic Deterrence and Power Projection
  • Aircraft carriers allow India to assert influence and maintain a favourable balance of power in the Indian Ocean, a region vital for trade, energy, and security.
• Protection of Maritime Interests
  • With over 90% of India’s trade by volume transported by sea, aircraft carriers help secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), protect island territories, and deter potential threats.
• Blue Water Navy Capability
  • Carriers enable the Indian Navy to operate far from its shores, establishing India as a blue water navy capable of extended operations and rapid crisis responses.
• Continuous Operational Readiness
  • Multiple carriers ensure that at least one is always operational on each coast, even when others are undergoing maintenance or refit.
• Non-Military Roles
  • In addition to military functions, aircraft carriers are essential for Humanitarian & Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, projecting India’s soft power and providing rapid responses to regional emergencies.

How Rafale M Will Help the Indian Navy

• Enhancing Carrier-Based Fighter Fleet
  • Rafale M jets will augment the current MiG-29K fleet, joining a legacy of carrier-based fighters like Sea Hawks, Alizes, and Sea Harriers.
• Future Compatibility
  • While India is developing the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the next decade, the Rafale Ms will fill the capability gap in the interim with their advanced features.
• Combat-Ready and Proven
  • As a four-and-a-half-generation battle-proven aircraft, Rafale M brings superior combat performance to India's naval aviation.
• Interoperability with IAF
  • A major benefit is the commonality with Indian Air Force Rafales, allowing for joint training, shared maintenance protocols, and streamlined logistics between the Navy and the Air Force.
• Boost to Military Capability
  • The induction of Rafale M will significantly strengthen India's maritime strike power and enhance overall military readiness and effectiveness across all domains.