It has been speculated for two years that the Indian Navy was lobbying to get new fighter jets and now it has been formalised as the Navy is planning to publish an official request for carrier aircraft. The Navy is looking to purchase 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for its already existing aircraft carriers. 

Navy Chief Admiral, Sunil Lamba, has taken a concrete step to adding new warplanes and also decommission the MiG-29K’s at the same time. The official request states “The MRCBF are intended as day and night capable, all-weather multi-role deck based combat aircraft which can be used for Air Defence (AD), Air to Surface Operations, Buddy Refueling, Reconnaissance, EW missions etc. from IN aircraft carriers.”

The 55-page request clearly states that the Navy is now seeking a new generation of fighters with the latest technology to aid in warfare, payload and endurance. The Navy’s request of 57 new warplanes seems very serious and there is no surprise that the Ministry of Defence is anxious to issue licensed production under a technology transfer arrangement. 

Currently, the Indian Navy’s portfolio of warplanes is not as extensive as other nations but here are some of the fighters the Indian Navy is currently interested in or are utilising. 

1.    Saab Gripen Maritime

© SAAB

2.    Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

© Boeing

3.    Lockheed-Martin F-35B STOVL

© YouTube

4.    Dassault Rafale-M 

© YouTube

5.    Lockheed-Martin F-35c

© YouTube

6.    Mikoyan MiG 29K 

© YouTube

7.    LCA Tejas Navy Mk.2 

© YouTube