Indian Navy issued a Request for Information (RFI), which is due 24 May, for 57 carrier-borne fighter aircraft to be operated from indigenously developed aircraft carriers that are currently under construction. According to RFI, the new aircraft should be able to conduct air defense, surface strike, reconnaissance and electronic warfare duties and be capable of aerial refuelling. Reportedly, contenders are F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Rafale M and MiG-29K.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)