(...)
A (…) hypothesis that is increasingly discussed concerns the possible future collaboration of the engine manufacturer Safran in the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter program, or TEDBF, the future twin-engine on-board fighter being developed by the DRDO, the innovation agency of Indian defence, in order to develop a new turbojet engine developing 12 tonnes of thrust for a given 26-ton aircraft.
Due to enter service in 2035, the TEDBF will replace the MIG-29s currently used on board the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditaya, a 45,000-ton aircraft carrier acquired from Russia then rebuilt by Indian shipyards to enter in service in 2014. It should also arm a possible third aircraft carrier announced a few months ago.
But Safran may well not be the only French manufacturer to participate in the TEDBF program. Indeed, according to the Indian site idrw.org, citing concordant sources, it would seem that Dassault Aviation can also support the Indian aeronautical industry in the development of this aircraft.
(...)
Obviously, it is advisable to be very cautious about these allegations, knowing the propensity of the Indian press to ignite on the basis of mere rumours. However, a collaboration with Dassault backed by the acquisition of 26 Rafale M, also intended to operate on board Indian aircraft carriers, would obviously be a rational decision for both India and the French aircraft manufacturer.
For the Indian Navy, it will indeed be essential to effectively replace the Mig-29s of the Vikramaditaya by 2035, which assumes that the TEDBF program is developed at full speed and encounters no programmatic or technological problem.
(...)
