Aviation
Why choosing between the Rafale and Hornet F/A 18 aircraft is difficult. Is India still awaiting offers?
The search for suitable aircraft to be deployed on INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, began in earnest last year. The naval variant of the French company Dassault’s Rafale fighter jet (the Rafale Marine), as well as Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, have emerged as the top two contenders over the previous few years. India looked at both in depth.
The main issue is determining the criteria for equipping the Indian defense squad with the appropriate fighter jet. As the F18 aircraft will be extended if India places a new order, or if Boeing closes the F18 production facility, it will continue to maintain the present fleet. Another Rafale 18 is on the current list, however, it is a single-seat marine fighter jet.
Rafale-M and Super Hornet both have their advantages due to similar standardization, but where can India obtain a better deal?
The Indian Navy was delighted by the Rafale-M’s flawless maneuverability. The F/A-18’s potential for Indian aircraft carriers was similarly shown by Boeing in the US in late 2020. Finally, in 2022, at the Indian Naval Station Hansa in Goa, where INS Vikrant’s flight deck was modeled, the two competing multi-role carrier-borne fighters (MRCBF) were requested for operational demonstration tests. The first to enter service was the Rafale-M in February 2022, and Super Hornet in July.
A fighter plane with a similar configuration, the Rafale Marine is designed for the navy. The aircraft is offered in single- and dual-seat configurations, has a delta wing shape, and can resist 11 g. It is 15.27 meters in length and 10.80 meters in width. The GIAT 30M/719B gun on the Rafale is installed on it and has controlled 0.5 or 1-second bursts at 2500 RPM. It has a main missile that can be fired in multi-target fire and forget mode. In addition to the Meteor for battle beyond visual range, the aircraft is also capable of carrying air-to-air MBDA MICA missiles.
In comparison to the Rafale, the F/A-18 has a 20% larger airframe, 41% longer range, and better General Electric F414 engines that produce 35% more thrust. It was created by American aerospace and defense company Boeing. Similar to the Rafale, it travels at a speed of 1.8 Mach. The M61A1 Vulcan revolving canon of the F/A-18 had a maximum rate of fire of 6,000 rounds per minute. It has an AIM-7 Sparrow homing air intercept missile with a semi-active radar. The Super Hornet is equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missiles.
The government will make the decision in this case. We have accepted both. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will now make the decision. Both aircraft are in good shape. They have established their worth. However, there will now be additional problems. For instance, the Air Force already has Rafales. The Navy Chief said, “Now there will be a commonality for spare parts and support etc.
The Navy currently operates a Russian MiG 29K for INS Vikrant. But it wants to go for a completely indigenous fighter jet in the future and imported Rafale M or Super Hornet.
The ‘economy’ of the transaction would also be important given that India paid INR 59,000 crores (more than US$8 billion) for 36 Rafale aircraft for the IAF.Even though it would be the maritime version of the Rafale, it is thought that France may offer a better deal on “add-on” aircraft.
Boeing India will open a 43-acre complex in Devanahalli’s Aerospace Park, close to Kempegowda International Airport. This would be Boeing’s largest facility outside of the United States, built at an investment of Rs 1600 crore. Boeing India has an objective of growing sourcing from India to Rs 10,000 crore annually from the present Rs 8000 crore.
Earlier this year, Air India placed firm orders for over 200 Boeing aircraft, including 20 787 Dreamliners, 10 777Xs, and 190 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft. In response, Boeing committed a $100 million investment in infrastructure and programmes to train pilots in India.
Kempegowda Airport bags Skytrax award for best regional airport in india(Opens in a new browser tab)
Devanahalli is emerging as the city’s center as Bengaluru moves farther north, largely because of its proximity to the Kempegowda International Airport and the ease of the forthcoming Blue metro line (KR Pura – Yelahanka – KIA), which was approved in April 2021. Overall, these changes have increased job prospects, which has further fueled the demand for housing in the area and prompted Boeing to open its largest headquarters here.
Boeing intends to add another 18 planes to the fleet. By 2032, this expansion is anticipated to generate investments of roughly $1.5 billion and open up new possibilities for localization in India’s aerospace and defense industry.
Boeing India currently maintains a central office in Delhi as well as regional offices in Mumbai, Hindan, Rajali, and New Delhi. In addition, Bengaluru and Chennai each house a rapidly expanding Boeing India Engineering & Technology Centre (BIETC). Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing engineering, production, and sustainment skills in India for the benefit of both domestic and international clients while expressing support for India’s goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Customers of Delta can anticipate even more chances to visit popular sites across the world next year after a record-breaking summer across the Atlantic. Flyers have a variety of interesting places to select from, including the historical city of Naples in Italy, the lush, green environment of Shannon in Ireland, the stunning beauty of Zurich in Switzerland, and many more.
The largest airline serving Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will operate over 260 weekly flights to 18 nations and 29 locations in the region next summer from its JFK hub.
For the first time, Delta will offer nonstop service from JFK to the historic Italian city of Naples, which serves as a gateway to the Amalfi coast and well-known tourist destinations like Mount Vesuvius. Beginning on May 23, 2024, Delta will launch a new daily service to Naples that will supplement the airline’s current service to Milan, Venice, and Rome. A nonstop service to Munich, which will launch on April 9, 2024, will round out Delta’s new transatlantic offerings from JFK starting in the summer.
Beginning May 31, 2024, Delta will once again resume nonstop service from Atlanta to Zurich four times per week. This will be in addition to the over 180 weekly flights the airline currently operates from its hub in Atlanta to 21 destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Delta to expand China flight offerings for winter season(Opens in a new browser tab)
In the meanwhile, starting on October 28, 2023, Delta will offer year-round service on its nonstop, daily flight from LAX to Auckland, New Zealand. The trip will run daily from November to March and three times per week from April to October. Beginning in December, Delta will add a twice-daily service from LAX to Sydney, Australia.
Following winter service to Shanghai from Seattle and Detroit, Delta will also resume a four-times-weekly, year-round service to Shanghai-Pudong International Airport from its Los Angeles hub starting March 31, 2024. This previously operated route will allow Delta customers to conveniently connect to many other cities in China via the airline’s partnership with China Eastern Airlines.
Next summer, Delta customers can expect even more flights to some of their preferred destinations, including extra flights from Boston to Athens, Barcelona, Reykjavik, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Detroit.
Airlines
IndiGo to be the first Indian airline providing direct connectivity from Hyderabad to Colombo
IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, is excited to announce the launch of new direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo beginning November 2, 2023. IndiGo is the first Indian airline to offer direct service between the two cities, strengthening trade, economic, and cultural connections. This is part of IndiGo’s strategy for worldwide expansion, which aims to provide customers with smooth and efficient connectivity.
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s energetic capital, is a humming centre for both commerce and tourism. The city provides simple access to the island country and has good connections to the international airport. A city of contrasts, Colombo is home to both contemporary skyscrapers and buildings from the colonial era.
Travelers can experience a variety of cultural and historical sites, such as the National Museum and the Gangaramaya Temple. The picturesque Galle Face Green promenade in the city is a well-liked location for leisurely strolls and offers magnificent views of the Indian Ocean. For culinary adventure lovers, Colombo’s diverse food scene offers a tempting array of flavors, from spicy curries to fresh seafood.
Indigo achieves milestone of 150+ daily departures from Hyderabad(Opens in a new browser tab)
Charminar, Golconda Fort, the Salar Jung Museum, and other well-known landmarks are only a few of Hyderabad’s many tourist attractions. The city is recognized for providing top-notch medical care. Through the official website, www.goIndiGo.in, customers can purchase tickets to organize their trip. The addition of these flights will improve the airline’s connectivity abroad.
Flight Schedule
| Flight No. | Origin | Destination | Frequency | Effective | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E 1181 | Hyderabad | Colombo | Daily except Wednesday | Nov 02, 2023 | 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 6E 1182 | Colombo | Hyderabad | Daily except Wednesday | Nov 02, 2023 | 15:00 | 17:00 |
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