ISLAMABAD: India has expressed keen interest in acquiring the naval variantof Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft capable of operating from aircraftcarriers and carrying nuclear missiles, a senior French naval officer hasdisclosed.
Captain Launay, a prominent commander in the French Navy, stated that NewDelhi is now focusing on the Rafale-M version, which is designed forcatapult-assisted take-off and arrested-recovery operations on carriers. Henoted that the French Navy remains the only force globally that deploysnuclear-armed missiles from aircraft carriers.
Indian pilots are likely to undergo specialised training at LandivisiauNaval Air Base in Brittany, where Captain Launay recently participated in anuclear missile certification exercise. The base currently operates morethan 40 Rafale-M aircraft equipped with nuclear-capable ASMP-A missiles andserves as France’s principal centre for such advanced training.
Captain Launay described the Rafale as one of the world’s premier combataircraft and confirmed that France is actively developing the more advancedF-4 standard, which will further enhance its capabilities in bothconventional and nuclear roles.
In a notable remark on regional stability, the French officer commended theleadership of both India and Pakistan for exercising restraint duringrecent tensions and preventing escalation into full-scale conflict. “Wewant peace, but we are prepared to face any attack from any side,” he added.
The disclosure comes at a time when India is expanding its naval aviationcapabilities with the commissioning of indigenous aircraft carrier INSVikrant and the planned induction of 26 Rafale-M jets under agovernment-to-government deal with France.
Source:www.geo.tv/latest/576543-india-seeking-nuclear-capable-naval-rafales-french-commander”>https://www.geo.tv/latest/576543-india-seeking-nuclear-capable-naval-rafales-french-commander
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