Latest news with #RafaleM
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
French Navy Offers Sneak Peek Of Its Future Carrier Air Wing
A French Navy official has laid out a broad plan for the country's carrier air wing from up to 2045. While the plan likely highlights just one vision of the kinds of aircraft we're likely to see aboard the French Navy's carrier in the future, it's notable in that it includes a significant drone component, alongside advanced crewed aircraft. France has a single nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, currently in operation, and is planning to build an even more capable flattop to replace it, around 2038. The plan was presented in the form of a slide in a briefing by a French Navy official at the Combined Naval Event (CNE) that took place in Farnborough, England, this week. The event was conducted under Chatham House rules, meaning that information can be freely shared, but the identity of the speaker cannot be disclosed. The slide, seen below, was shared with TWZ by Navy Lookout, which provides independent naval news and analysis. The slide shows three different compositions for the French Navy's carrier air wing, starting in 2038. Whether coincidental or not, this is around the time that the Charles de Gaulle should be replaced by the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération, or PA-Ng, which translates to New Generation Aircraft Carrier. You can read more about this warship here. As of 2038, the air wing is still based around the two main fixed-wing types now in service aboard the Charles de Gaulle, the Rafale M multirole fighter, and the E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. These are shown complemented by a rotary-wing drone, which appears to be the Airbus Helicopters VSR700, but it may also be intended to represent this kind of capability more generically. The VSR700 is in development for the French Navy, after flight tests of a demonstrator version from one of its FREMM frigates in 2023. The drone is being proposed for intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and anti-submarine warfare operations, but could also undertake logistics, especially valuable aboard an aircraft carrier, and other tasks. There are various other alternatives to the VSR700, as well, most notably Austria's Schiebel S-300 rotary-wing drone, which will likely compete with it for French Navy orders. By 2038, the slide indicates that the French Navy will be operating the F5 version of the Rafale M, which will bring a host of new capabilities compared with the current F3 model. The F5 version of the Rafale, which will be in both land-based and carrier-compatible versions, is something we have discussed in the past. Standard F5 is planned to keep the Rafale in frontline service until around 2060. This latest iteration of the aircraft will focus on collaborative combat, as well as incorporating new-generation weapons, among them the ASN4G, the next-generation standoff nuclear weapon. #ASN4G – is the planned nuclear-armed #hypersonic cruise #missile intended to replace the ASMP-A #supersonic nuclear missile currently in service. The missile will equip the F4 variant of the Rafale fighter as well as Future Combat Air System vehicles#ArméeDelAir #FrenchAirForce — 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ (@TheDeadDistrict) May 28, 2020 Other new weapons for Standard F5 are expected to include successors for the SCALP conventional cruise missile and the Exocet anti-ship missile, with a hypersonic design being examined for the latter requirement. Air-to-air munitions should include an upgraded Meteor beyond-visual-range missile. Very significantly, the F5 version is also planned to be fielded alongside a new, French-developed uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV), of which more later. The next configuration of the carrier air wing is for 2040, by which time two new types of drones are shown as being in service. These are described loosely as an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) on the slide and are illustrated with an MQ-9 and a Dassault nEUROn demonstrator, respectively. The F5 version of the Rafale M and the E-2D will also still be in service at this point. The UCAV, illustrated by the stealthy flying-wing nEUROn, may well be intended to represent the drone that France plans to introduce to work alongside the F5 Rafale, as well as independently. We already know this drone program will be headed up by Dassault Aviation and will draw upon the company's experience with the nEUROn. The new UCAV has already been billed as being 'complementary to the Rafale and suited to collaborative combat.' It will also have stealth characteristics, including an internal payload. The drone will feature autonomous control, with a human-in-the-loop (in the case of collaborative operations, the pilot in the cockpit of the Rafale). According to Dassault, the UCAV 'will be highly versatile and designed to evolve in line with future threats.' Its missions are expected to include suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD), in which the Rafale would benefit hugely from a low-observable loyal-wingman-type drone to operate in concert with the crewed fighter. As for the MQ-9, the land-based Reaper is already in French service, but its manufacturer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), is busily pursuing ways of adapting MQ-9-series drones for aircraft carrier operations. The company has devised a wing-kit which turns the MQ-9B into a big deck ship-deployable drone. It has also demonstrated its Mojave, specifically developed with the ability to perform short takeoffs and landings, including from different aircraft carriers. The same capabilities found in the Mojave demonstrator have meanwhile been ported over into the Gray Eagle STOL — a design we have discussed in depth in the past. Should the French Navy be interested in fielding a member of the wider family of Q-1 lineage drones aboard its carrier, that would certainly be an option. A drone of this kind could also serve as a sea control/anti-submarine warfare platform, as well as take on other roles such as airborne early warning radar and a networking node 'truck.' Meanwhile, in low-threat environments, it could even be used for reconnaissance and strike. The final carrier air wing configuration shown is for 2045, by which time, more significant developments will have changed the face of the aircraft on the deck of the French Navy's carrier. The spearhead of the 2045 carrier air wing is the navalized version of the Next Generation Fighter (NGF). This will be provided with its own air-launched Remote Carriers, a type of store that will increasingly blur the distinction between cruise missiles and drones, and which will deliver kinetic effects as well as carrying other types of payloads. As TWZ wrote about in the past: 'The requirement to have NGF — or a version of NGF — able to operate from French Navy aircraft carriers will bring additional challenges to the design, chiefly in the form of landing gear able to absorb deck landings, as well as catapult launch and arrester gear. The airframe would also have to be more robust for carrier operations, adding mass to the design, and that naval requirement would have to be accounted for in the wing and control surface design in order to allow for optimized carrier recovery. At the very least, this would necessitate a variant that is built for carrier operations, which would increase cost and timeline.' It has also been reported that the NGF may be too large to be easily accommodated on the Charles de Gaulle. The new fighter is likely to weigh in the region of 33 tons, compared to around 27 tons for a fully loaded Rafale. A larger airframe could translate to considerable range, as well as the ability to carry a significant payload internally. However, with the new carrier planned to be available from around 2038, the navalized NGF likely won't have to embark on the Charles de Gaulle. At the same time, the F5 version of the Rafale M and the E-2D will continue to serve alongside the NGF, at least for a while. The Rafale M could also be a potential launch platform for Remote Carriers. The NGF is being developed as the centerpiece of the pan-European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), not to be confused with the U.K.-led effort of the same name. The pan-European FCAS will include uncrewed air vehicles as well as uncrewed effectors and the aforementioned Remote Carriers. Perhaps most intriguingly, the uncrewed component for the 2045 carrier air wing now also includes the Airbus Wingman uncrewed concept aircraft, which was not previously known to be intended for carrier operations. The French Navy is clearly giving some thought to the potential of a fighter-like, stealthy drone within its carrier air wing, and as a capability to be introduced after a flying-wing-type UCAV. The Wingman, unveiled by Airbus last summer, is also intended to fly collaborative missions alongside crewed fighters. It has been pitched as a low-cost solution, with a price tag equivalent to one-third that of a modern crewed fighter, that can be brought into production and fielded rapidly. According to Airbus, the German Air Force has 'expressed a clear need' for a drone of this kind that would be able to operate in conjunction with crewed fighters before the arrival in service of the pan-European FCAS. As we noted at the time, it's hard to envisage that Airbus could develop and build the Wingman solely to meet a German requirement, and interest in a carrier-based version from France could give the program a valuable boost, were that to become formalized. Once again, it should be noted that this is very much a suggestion of possible carrier air wing configurations through to 2045 and very much not a program of record. It is, however, interesting to see that the French Navy is considering the possibilities of operating different types of drones aboard its carriers, including the fighter-like Wingman and some kind of development of the nEUROn, or equivalent, which could provide powerful strike and ISTAR capabilities, if pursued. The timeline also suggests that France is first looking to introduce a heavier, carrier-based, traditional stealthy UCAV with added collaborative capabilities, rather than a loyal wingman-type drone, first. It is likely that one reason for this is the need to combine the non-stealthy Rafale with a higher-end drone partner to remain relevant in highly contested combat environments in the future. Range is also likely an issue, with UCAV concepts generally possessing a combat radius in multiples of their manned fighter counterparts. This is key to the relevancy of the carrier going forward. Also worth noting is the fact that China also appears to be betting big on a similar concept, starting with carrier-based UCAVs, something that the U.S. Navy has passed over entirely. With its increasingly unmanned carrier air wing, the French Navy is very much following broader trends in China, the United States, and elsewhere. In the past, the U.S. Navy has said it wants to have uncrewed platforms make up the majority of its future carrier air wings, with up to 60 percent of all aircraft on each flattop being pilotless in the coming decade or two. More recently, however, the Navy has talked about scaling back its ambitions for developing and fielding carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), at least in terms of how quickly it might want to pursue them. Instead, the U.S. Navy is putting more effort into its MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone and its supporting infrastructure. Meanwhile, although it is experimenting with the CCA concept, the Navy is allowing the other services, especially the U.S. Air Force, to prove this out in a full-operational service context. With that in mind, the French Navy's apparent consideration of stealthy UCAVs as part of its future carrier air wing is especially notable. Again, it highlights a glaring gap in the U.S. combat aircraft space, one we have been pointing out in detail for many years. Undoubtedly, there's growing interest in stealthy UCAVs around the world, including for embarking on carriers. It will be interesting to see what direction the French Navy takes as it starts to assemble the air wing for its next-generation carrier. Contact the author: thomas@
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rafale-M roars after Pahalgam: How India's French fighter deal could turn up the heat on Pakistan
India's recent agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft has been described as a strategic move amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The timing of the deal—just days after the Pahalgam terror attack—has raised its symbolic and operational significance. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Nuclear Power! How India and Pakistan's arsenals stack up Does America have a plan to capture Pakistan's nuclear weapons? Airspace blockade: India plots a flight path to skip Pakistan "During such a time, when there is a lot of tension going on between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack , the signing of this deal is going to mount pressure on Pakistan... In the coming days, whatever action India takes against Pakistan, Rafale will play a key role," defence analyst Sanjeev Srivastava told ANI. He added, "This deal will strengthen India's defence position against Pakistan, and it will keep pressure on them also... The aircraft will be operating from India's two aircraft carriers, which are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2030. But this has happened amid tension and it will, without any doubt, keep the adversaries under pressure." 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by India-France sign $7.5 billion naval Rafale deal The agreement was signed under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework. It includes 22 single-seat Rafale M aircraft and four twin-seat Rafale D jets. The package also includes training modules, simulators, associated weapons, equipment, and a five-year performance-based logistics support system, according to statements from the Indian Ministry of Defence and the French Embassy in India. Present at the signing were France's Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, and India's Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar, along with senior officials and industry partners. This deal marks the first-ever export order for the naval version of the Rafale jet, manufactured by Dassault Aviation . Live Events Aerospace cooperation with a Make-in-India boost The Rafale M jets, expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2030, will fly from INS Vikrant and support the existing MiG-29K fleet. But the significance of this deal extends beyond new aircraft. It also includes critical clauses for indigenisation. "In line with the Government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat , the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facilities for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors, and weapons in India,' said the Ministry of Defence. The Transfer of Technology clause could enable integration of the Indian-made beyond visual range missile, Astra, onto the Rafale platform. Dassault has already begun building a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Uttar Pradesh as part of its offset commitments for previous Rafale purchases. Why interoperability matters for the Navy and Air Force Dassault's Rafale-M won the bid over Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, largely due to its operational compatibility with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 36 Rafales, already stationed at Ambala and Hasimara. Both services—the IAF and the Navy—will now benefit from shared systems and logistics. This includes the "buddy-buddy" aerial refuelling system, which allows one aircraft to refuel another in flight. Such interoperability improves operational endurance and simplifies maintenance cycles. The IAF operates the Rafale C, and the Navy's Rafale M has a high degree of equipment and airframe commonality with it. This reduces the complexity of training and supply chains. Aiming for more than just aircraft This agreement could also set the stage for future Rafale orders. With its current fleet strength below the sanctioned 42 squadrons, the IAF is exploring options to expand its inventory while avoiding excessive diversification. The push to integrate indigenous weapons, like the Astra missile, requires access to the Rafale's source code—a point of negotiation with Dassault Aviation. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has previously cited the British-origin Jaguar as a model, allowing India to regularly upgrade avionics and weapons thanks to licensed production. Replicating this model with the Rafale would support long-term self-reliance and modernisation. Lessons from Mirage: Why domestic production matters India's earlier acquisition of the Mirage 2000 jets highlights the importance of local manufacturing. Between 1982 and 1985, the IAF purchased 51 Mirage jets in flyaway condition. Over the years, spare parts and upgrades became a challenge. India had to procure second-hand jets to cannibalise for spares. Even after a costly upgrade deal with Thales in 2011, the mid-life overhaul of the Mirage fleet has been slow. In contrast, the licensed manufacturing of Jaguars and Su-30 MKIs allowed India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to maintain and upgrade them locally, ensuring longer operational relevance. The Rafale deal now seeks to follow this path. This contract not only equips India's Navy with state-of-the-art jets, but also builds infrastructure for long-term support. The MRO facility in India will also handle depot-level maintenance of the M88 engine—the first such facility outside France. Overhaul of MICA missiles is also planned under this framework. By linking strategic deterrence with domestic capability building, the Rafale-M deal signals more than a weapons purchase. It reflects a broader shift in India's defence policy—towards resilience, preparedness, and industrial self-reliance. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale M is a proven carrier-based combat aircraft. Deliveries of the Rafale M jets are expected to begin in 2028 and are anticipated to be completed by 2030. The Rafale M jets will operate from INS Vikrant and support the existing Mig-29 K fleet. The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at Ambala and Hasimara. The new deal will raise the total number of Rafale jets in India to 62, significantly boosting the country's fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
The Print
30-04-2025
- Science
- The Print
Why homegrown Astra, set to be integrated with Rafale Marine, is no ordinary missile
While the Rafale M typically carries the European MICA and Meteor air-to-air missiles, the fighters for India will be integrated with indigenous Astra Mk1. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2028, with the fighters to be deployed on India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. New Delhi: India this week signed a government-to-government agreement with France worth Rs 63,000 crore for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy. ThePrint looks at why India's first Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) is a gamechanger in aerial warfare and how the project took off. Also Read: Indian Navy flexes muscle in Arabian Sea with long-range precision anti-ship missile firings Homegrown BVRAAM Astra, meaning 'weapon' in Sanskrit, is developed by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The Astra Mk1 is capable of striking aerial targets flying at speeds of up to Mach 1.4 (exceeding 1,729 km/hr) at ranges extending to 110 km. Post-launch, the missile employs inertial mid-course guidance, aided by encrypted data-link updates from the launch aircraft and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase. During its development phase, the missile was initially fitted with the Russian-origin Agat 9B1103M active radar seeker, which remained in use for all design validation and live firing trials until 2017. In parallel, DRDO developed a fully indigenous Ku-band active radar seeker. Designed as a form-fit replacement, this homegrown seeker has now been integrated across all production versions. How 'Project Astra' took off The project traces its roots back to the early 2000s when it was initiated without formal sanction. According to the sources, in the absence of sanctioned funding, DRDO began preliminary design work using internal resources. 'The initial major challenges included developing a reliable Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, miniaturised and sturdy missile hardware and integrating the system onto IAF frontline aircraft without any support from the foreign OEM (original equipment manufacturer),' one of the sources told ThePrint. 'DRDO leadership wanted DRDL to demonstrate core capabilities even before the project was formally sanctioned.' Official clearance for the project was granted in April 2004 and the Su-30MKI was selected as the primary integration platform. The Astra missile's initial development began with efforts to validate its performance through ballistic launches from a ground-based launcher. 'This was aimed at demonstrating safe and stable release before progressing to manned aircraft trials,' another source said. In May 2003, three such tests were conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Balasore to establish baseline performance parameters. By 2011, the missile's configuration was frozen and air-launch testing intensified over the following years. 'Between 2014 and 2019, the missile underwent over 35 air launches and more than 150 captive flight trials,' one of the sources cited above said. Following a string of successful demonstrations, Astra Mk1 was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2019. Since its induction, Astra Mk1 has been integrated with several frontline platforms including the Su-30MKI. It is being integrated with the LCA Tejas Mk1A. Plans are underway to equip the MiG-29K and IAF's Rafale as well. Once integration plans are fully executed, Astra is set to become the standard long-range air-to-air missile across the entire fighter fleet with the exception of the Mirage 2000, which is nearing the end of its operational life. Why integrating Astra matters While the Meteor missile is considered among the most advanced in the world, its high cost and dependence on foreign suppliers make sustained operations during crises strategically limiting. The cost advantage is significantly notable. Priced at approximately Rs 7–8 crore per unit, the Astra Mk1 offers a substantial saving compared to the French Meteor missile, which costs around Rs 25 crore per unit. On the other hand, MICA, though versatile, is capped at a range of around 80 km and is now seen as inadequate in modern contested airspaces that demand longer reach and resistance to electronic warfare. Meanwhile, China's PL-15 missile, deployed on platforms like J-20 and J-10C, is speculated to have a domestic range of 200–250 km. Even its export variant, the PL-15E, is claimed to offer up to 145 km of engagement envelope. Pakistan continues to operate the US-supplied AIM-120C5 with an estimated 100 km range and is reportedly collaborating with China on next-generation BVRAAMs. Amid tensions with India over Pahalgam, reports indicate that Pakistan may have received express deliveries of China's PL-15 missiles. In this context, Astra's progressive development becomes central to India's evolving air power posture. Being homegrown, the system can also be rapidly modified to meet operational requirements without external dependencies. Mk2 & 3 in pipeline The long-term vision for air combat supremacy is reflected in the ongoing development of two advanced Astra variants: Mk2 and Mk3. Expected to be operationally ready by 2026, Astra Mk2 is designed for longer ranges between 140 km and 160 km. It features a dual-pulse rocket motor, upgraded guidance algorithms and the indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker. Named 'Gandiva', the bow of Arjun, Mk3 is the most ambitious of the Astra family. Slated for induction by 2031, it is being developed with a solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system. This next-gen missile is expected to sustain speeds of Mach 4.5 and strike targets over 300 km away, placing it in the class of modern super-BVRAAMs. What also distinguishes Astra from most foreign-origin systems is its platform-agnostic design. Imported BVRAAMs are often subject to licensing restrictions, embedded software controls and compatibility constraints that limit their usage across different aircraft types. 'Astra is being developed as a universal missile solution that cuts across both IAF and Navy platforms,' a source said. 'This reduces logistical complexity, shortens training cycles and enhances readiness in high-tempo scenarios.' Beyond its technical features, Astra represents a deliberate move toward operational flexibility and strategic autonomy in critical defence technologies. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: 'All can see where we stand': Message to the nation by fallen hero Havildar Jhantu Sheikh's father
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Axiom Mission 4, naval aviation and more (Week 108)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress. Which of the following is/are the key role of naval aviation? 1. Fleet air defence 2. Anti-surface warfare 3. Strategic power projections 4. Supporting amphibious warfare Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Explanation — India and France signed a $7.4 billion (approximately Rs 63,000 crore) government-to-government contract for 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. What is Naval aviation? — Naval aviation refers to the use of military air power by fleets, which includes aircraft that operate from warships (such as aircraft carriers and other aircraft), helicopter-carrying surface combatants, or land bases to support maritime operations. — The primary functions of naval aviation include: (i) Fleet air defence (ii) Strategic power projection. (iii) Anti-surface warfare (iv) Supporting amphibious warfare. (v) Mine countermeasures — It consists of specialised naval aircraft built to satisfy the specific requirements of carrier operations and small decks, such as short takeoffs and arrested landings, as well as duties such as air-to-air combat, surface and submarine attack, maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and logistics support. 1. E. coli bacteria can cause severe illness if consumed and are the leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalisations, and deaths. 2. Salmonella strains are harmless — they are, in fact, important to the digestive process. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — The Tamil Nadu government has outlawed the production, storage, distribution, and sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs, citing public health concerns. — Eggs are known to carry a variety of pathogens, which are typically neutralised during the cooking process (by heat). This is especially essential in Indian settings, where 'improper preparation and storage' in hot and humid weather increases the danger of contamination by germs, particularly Salmonella and E Coli. — Salmonella bacterium can cause severe sickness if ingested. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they are 'a leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalisations, and deaths' globally. Warm, humid conditions are good for salmonella to thrive. Salmonella infection causes watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — E coli are bacteria that can cause infections in the intestine, urinary tract, and other areas of the body. While most E Coli strains are harmless—they are actually necessary for digestion —some can cause serious sickness. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. With reference to the Bombay Blood Group, consider the following statements: 1. It is a rare blood type which was first discovered in Bombay in 1952. 2. It is also known as the 'hh' or 'Oh' blood group. 3. This blood group system has an abundant H antigen. 4. They can easily form A or B antigens for the ABO blood group system. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — The Bombay Blood Group (BBG) is an uncommon blood type found in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, in 1952. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — It is also known as the 'hh' or 'Oh' blood group; it lacks the H antigen, which is the precursor to the A and B antigens found in the more prevalent ABO blood group system. Hence, statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is not correct. — As a result, regardless of genetic makeup, individuals cannot produce A or B antigens for the ABO blood group system. Hence, statement 4 is not correct. — BBG patients create anti-H antibodies, which react against red blood cells containing the H antigen, making transfusions difficult. They can only get blood from other BBG patients because transfusions from other groups, particularly O, might induce severe reactions. Swyer's Syndrome refers to: (a) A condition in males with an extra X chromosome. (c) A person with this syndrome has 46,XY chromosomes and is thus male, but has female characteristics. (d) A rare genetic disorder where individuals with XY chromosomes have impaired conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Explanation — A male-determining gene on the Y chromosome determines the sex of newborn humans and other mammals. Females in humans, as in other mammals, have two X chromosomes, whereas males have a single X and a little chromosome called Y. The names had nothing to do with their shape; the X represented 'unknown'. — Swyer's Syndrome, commonly known as XY gonadal dysgenesis, is an uncommon condition that affects one in every 30,000 to 80,000 births. A female has 46,XX chromosomes, while males have 46,XY chromosomes. — A person with this condition has a 46,XY chromosome and is therefore male, but possesses female traits such as a female voice, fully or partially formed external genitalia, a vagina, underdeveloped breasts, fallopian tubes, and a uterus, but no ovaries. — The condition develops when the SRY gene, which controls the creation of male organs via the XY chromosomes, mutates during the foetal stage. As a result, no testosterone is created, and the testes are not fully developed. Thus, the testes are simply a 'streak gonad' that cannot reproduce. 1. It is the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. 2. The mission will carry an all-Indian crew on its journey. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Axiom Space will launch its fourth trip to the International Space Station on May 29 from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three others. — This historic flight demonstrates how Axiom Space is reinventing the approach to low-Earth orbit and upgrading national space programs worldwide. — The Ax-4 crew consists of people from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each country's first journey to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in more than four decades. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Expert Explains: Why induction of 26 new Rafale M aircraft matters for the Indian Navy
India and France on Monday signed a $7.4 billion (approximately Rs 63,000 crore) government-to-government contract for 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. Thirty-six Rafale aircraft were earlier inducted into the Indian Air Force from 2021 onward. Why is the induction of the Rafale M important in the context of the Indian Navy? First, what is meant by naval aviation? Naval aviation is the use of military air power by navies, involving aircraft that operate from warships — such as aircraft carriers and other aircraft — or helicopter-carrying surface combatants, or land bases to support naval operations. It includes specialised naval aircraft designed to meet the unique demands of carrier operations and small decks, such as short takeoffs and arrested landings, and roles such as air-to-air combat, surface and submarine attack, maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue, and logistical support. The key roles of naval aviation include: FLEET AIR DEFENCE: providing air cover for naval forces beyond the reach of land-based aircraft; STRATEGIC POWER PROJECTION: allowing deployment of air power without needing land bases; ANTI-SURFACE WARFARE: attacking enemy ships with air-launched missiles; SUPPORTING AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE: aiding marine landings and operations inland; and MINE COUNTERMEASURES: using aircraft to detect and clear enemy mines. Naval aviation is crucial for maintaining control of the seas, supporting naval and ground forces, and projecting military power along distant shores. It includes fixed-wing carrier borne squadrons, land-based Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Helicopters and Remotely Piloted Aircraft operated from warships and ashore. And what exactly is an aircraft carrier? An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and hangar facilities for supporting, arming, deploying, and recovering shipborne aircraft. It allows a naval force to project seaborne air power far from its homeland without having to rely on airfields ashore. Aircraft carriers as part of the Carrier Battle Groups are often the centerpiece of modern naval warfare, with significant strategic and diplomatic influence in deterrence, command of the sea, and air supremacy. Aircraft carriers are also adaptable and survivable airfields that are ready to control the seas, conduct strikes, and manoeuvre across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. About 50 carriers, operated by the navies of several countries, are currently active around the world. The United States Navy leads with 11 large nuclear powered carriers followed by Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Russia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom. What is the history of carrier aviation in India? While Indian naval aviation will celebrate its 72nd anniversary on May 11, 2025, India's carrier aviation began with the commissioning of the INS Vikrant in 1961. Since the 1960s, India has operated four carriers — the INS Vikrant (1961-1997), INS Viraat (1987-2017), INS Vikramaditya (since 2013), and the indigenously built INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in 2022. Through this unbroken period of 64 years, India has operated all major types of aircraft launch and recovery systems and continues to expand its carrier fleet, with future plans for additional indigenous construction. But why does India need aircraft carriers? India requires aircraft carriers for several strategic, military, and geopolitical reasons. STRATEGIC DETERRENCE AND POWER PROJECTION: Aircraft carriers enable India to assert influence and maintain favourable balance of power in the Indian Ocean, a region critical for trade, energy flow and security for India and the world. PROTECTION OF MARITIME INTERESTS: More than 90% of India's trade by volume moves by sea. Carriers help secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), protect island territories, and deter potential threats. BLUE WATER NAVY CAPABILITY: Carriers allow the Indian Navy to operate far from home shores, reinforcing its status as a blue water force capable of extended operations and rapid responses to crises. CONTINUOUS OPERATIONAL READINESS: Having multiple carriers ensures that at least one is always operational on each coast, even as others are in maintenance or refit. NON-MILITARY ROLES: Carriers also play a vital role in Humanitarian & Disaster Relief (HADR) operations that project India's soft power and the ability to respond to regional emergencies and calamities, which are not uncommon in the Indian Ocean Region. How will the Rafale Ms help the Navy? Over the years, India has operated a wide variety of carrier-based fighters — from Sea Hawks, Alizes, Sea Harriers and, at present, the very capable fourth generation MiG29Ks. The country is now developing the fifth generation Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), that is likely to be operationalised in the middle of the next decade. The 26 Rafale M jets, a four-and-a-half-generation battle-proven combat aircraft, will augment the existing MiG29K fleet. A great advantage that accrues with the induction of the 26 Rafale Ms for the Indian Navy is the commonality with the IAF Rafales. This provides the desirable scope for interoperability and joint training, as well as for maintenance and safe practices of these assets and their aircrew between the two services. The induction of this very capable aircraft in the coming years is a shot in the arm for the Indian armed forces, and shall ensure continued and enhanced combat capabilities across the full spectrum of India's military might.
