Now here comes the point: The indigenous Tejas fails the Navy trials; MiG-29K are not up to the mark.
So, addressing to the problem, India has set up a global tender for Carrier-based multirole fighters. Carrier-based multirole fighters have a very bright future in India, as India is one of a few navies in the world undergoing fleet expansion, along with indigenous technological development, including stealth frigates, corvettes (INS Kamorta), and destroyers (Kolkata-class). Also, India already operates two aircraft carriers, namely the INS Vikramaditya and INS Viraat, although INS Viraat has been decomissioned in mid-2016.
The Indian Navy is expecting the new INS Vikrant and INS Vishal around 2022. Vikramaditya operates MiG-29K fighters.
So, to have a carrier requires planes to be carried; and Tejas-Mk II was expected to be on her deck.
But, as Tejas fails to compete, a new aircraft competition is likely to start for INS Vikrant and INS Vishal's deck.
This is going to be a big party for the planes, just like the MMRCA.
The planes likely to compete are: Dassault Rafale M, Lockheed Martin's F-35 (least expected), Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
The most chances are of Rafale, but Super Hornet is also an attractive offer for the Indians as Boeing has said that it can make a manufacturing facility in India for the Hornets, but only on assured orders from IAF or the Navy.
Also, there is a still hope from the Russians, and also about he FGFA or the AMCA programme.
We'll keep you posted about any advancements.
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