Dassault Rafale variant
Dassault Rafale Rafale MH
Carrier-borne version for the Indian Navy: a Rafale M derivative adapted to STOBAR carriers and Indian weapons; 26 F4-standard aircraft (22 single-seat and 4 two-seat) approved on 13 July 2023 for delivery by 2030, replacing the MiG-29K.
History
The Rafale MH is the customised carrier-capable variant for the Indian Navy: a derivative of the Rafale M adapted to India's STOBAR carriers, with ski-jump take-off instead of catapults, and to Indian weapon systems. On 13 July 2023 India's Defence Acquisition Council granted the Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement of 26 Rafale Ms at the F4 standard, together with three additional Kalvari-class submarines; according to the English Wikipedia's operator table, the order comprises 22 single-seat Rafale Ms and four two-seaters, with deliveries due by 2030.
The aircraft will replace the MiG-29Ks embarked on India's carriers. According to the Spanish Wikipedia, the Rafale will be an interim solution until the Twin-Engined Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) enters service, a programme led by India's DRDO agency to design and build locally a medium carrier fighter towards the end of the decade. The four two-seaters in the naval order remotely revive the idea of the naval two-seater that France cancelled with the Rafale N.