Last month, when US President Donald Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump stated that the deepening relationship between the two countries could lead to the US providing New Delhi with the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet produced by Lockheed Martin. At the same time, given that India, the world's most populous country, is Russia's most important military hardware customer, Moscow has also repeatedly wanted India to purchase Sukhoi's Su-57 fighter jets. Although New Delhi may continue to seek fifth generation fighter jets, India announced last week an agreement with France to purchase over 20 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The Rafale M fighter jet will replace the aging Russian made MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft of the Indian Navy, the latter being the carrier based version of the MiG-29M received by India nearly 20 years ago. At present, the Indian Navy is using Russian made all-weather multi-purpose fighter jets as part of the 300th "White Tiger" Squadron and the 303rd "Black Panther" Squadron. In contrast, the new fighter jets will be carried on the aircraft carriers "Vikrant" and "Super King" for use. The Indian Navy has evaluated several aircraft, including the Rafale fighter jet. The Rafale fighter jet is a more attractive candidate aircraft than the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The Indian Navy considered several factors during the "extensive assessment" process, including the ability of the Rafale fighter jet to operate on two aircraft carriers. Both aircraft carriers are equipped with Short Takeoff and Arrest Landing (STOBAR) configurations and use ski jump decks. According to the "War Zone" channel, this deal with France also allows India to purchase three "Scorpaean" class diesel electric attack submarines. These Rafale fighter jets are expected to be delivered starting in 2029. The Indian Navy will receive 22 single seat Rafale M-based carrier based fighter jets for its two aircraft carriers, and an additional 4 twin seat Rafale B-trainer aircraft. Dassault Systemes' Rafale fighter jet is a versatile fighter designed for the French Air Force and Navy, with the aim of replacing the seven types of fighter jets used by the French military. This new fighter jet can perform various tasks, including air defense/air superiority, anti access/area denial, reconnaissance, close range air support, dynamic targeting, air to ground precision strike/interception, anti-ship attack, nuclear deterrence, and even partner refueling. Although the Rafale M fighter jet is similar to the Rafale C fighter jet used by the French Air and Space Forces, this carrier based aircraft is equipped with a reinforced fuselage and an internal boarding ladder. The carrier based aircraft is about 1100 pounds (approximately 499 kilograms) heavier than land-based aircraft. It can be used on aircraft carriers equipped with STOBAR, and is also the only non American fighter jet approved for use on US supercarriers equipped with catapults. (New Society)