Currently, the only fighter jet that the Indian Navy has is the Russian MiG-29K, which arrived for the INS Vikramaditya

Indian Navy has ended the trials for its foreign fighter jets. There is stiff competition between the French Dassault Aviation's Rafale-M jets and the US’s FA-18 Super Hornet fighters to fill the requirement. However, the purchase of foreign weaponry is largely temporary considering the Navy hopes to be totally indigenous by 2047 as per the government’s Atmanirbharta guidelines.

The Indian Navy’s trials for a foreign fighter — in which the American F-18 and the French Rafale are in the race — are over, and the trial report is being evaluated. The acquisition of a foreign fighter will be to ensure that the Navy can tide through the period before the indigenous twin-engine naval fighter is ready. The first prototype is likely to be ready by 2027 and the fighter could be with the Navy by 2032. Currently, all the Indian Navy has is the Russian MiG-29K, which arrived for the INS Vikramaditya — formerly Admiral Gorshkov.

The new INS Vikrant has been commissioned, but there is no decision as yet on whether to go ahead with the new carrier— it could be a repeat order— or not, the Navy chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, said on Saturday. The issue is still under discussion as is the one on the purchase of Predator drones for all three services. The initial plan was to buy 30, but in this era where Atmanirbharta is the focus, there could be a “rationalisation,” a euphemism for buying perhaps 18 of them. The Navy chief said that the leasing of a couple of them has been a very good experience.

The purchase of foreign weaponry is largely temporary as the Indian Navy hopes to be totally indigenous by 2047, or in another 25 years. This will be based on the government’s Atmanirbharta guidelines.

The Navy chief said the Chinese had at any time 4-6 warships, scientific vessels and also fishing boats in the Indian Ocean. The Navy was keeping tabs on them, he added.

Asked about the 8 retired Indian Navy officers who have been in jail in Qatar for the last 90 days, the admiral said he had taken up the issue and hoped there would be a solution to the problem soon.