A Rafale Marine deck landing on INS Vikrant succeeded on the first attempt on Thursday, the Indian Navy said, as the French-built fighter began trials aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier.

The Navy said the trials now under way are the first steps towards operationalising the aircraft in its fleet.

Rafale Marine deck landing opens trials at sea on INS Vikrant

The jet also launched off Vikrant's ski-jump during the trials. Its pilot, from manufacturer Dassault Aviation, was received on the flight deck by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

The Rafale Marine deck landing moves the programme from shore to ship. Earlier this month, defence officials said trials in Goa were testing the modifications the fighter needs to operate from Vikrant. Goa is home to the Navy's Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa, where the Rafale Marine first flew off a land-based ski-jump in January 2022 during the Navy's evaluation of carrier fighters.

Vikrant launches by ski-jump and recovers by arrester wire

Vikrant has no catapult. Fighters take off from a ramp at the bow and land by catching an arrester wire with a tail hook, a layout known as Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery, or STOBAR.

The French Navy flies the type from the catapult-equipped Charles de Gaulle, so arrested landings are routine for it.

MiG-29K and LCA Navy made the first Vikrant landings in 2023

Vikrant was commissioned in September 2022. The Navy's MiG-29K fleet and the LCA Navy prototype made the first landings on its deck in February 2023. The MiG-29K has since flown from both Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Navy ordered 26 Rafale Marine jets in April 2025

India and France signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the jets on 28 April 2025. The order covers 22 single-seat aircraft and four twin-seat trainers, along with weapons, simulators, training and performance-based logistics. The deal was valued at around Rs 63,000 crore, according to reports at the time.

At signing, the Ministry of Defence said deliveries would be completed by 2030, with crews trained in France and India. Defence officials this month placed the last deliveries at the end of 2028 or early 2029.

The agreement includes transfer of technology to integrate indigenous weapons, a Rafale fuselage production facility in India, and local maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities for engines, sensors and weapons.

Rafale Marine to serve alongside the IAF's Rafale fleet

The jets are meant mainly for Vikrant and will be deployed on both Indian carriers. They will gradually take over from the MiG-29K.

The Indian Air Force already flies 36 Rafales, and the ministry has said commonality between the two versions will ease training and logistics for both services. France has separately submitted a proposal for 114 Rafale jets for the Air Force. With the naval order, India will operate 62 Rafales across the two services.