NATO conducted one of its largest naval exercises since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Neptune Strike (NEST) 2024, with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle taking part under NATO command for the first time. The French aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships were the focus of strike exercises aimed at strengthening integration and interoperability between NATO nations. The French aircraft carrier was deployed in the Mediterranean near Toulon. Although exact details were not available for security reasons, Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, commander of the Strike Group, reported that a squadron of 18 Rafale M fighters, an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, two E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWEC) aircraft were deployed. ) and two Dauphin helicopters. The French fighters, according to information, simulated strike missions at a distance of 4,000 km.
NATO spoke on Platform X of a record naval strike simulated by French fighter jets. Two Rafale M simulated a long-range strike at a distance of more than 4000 km from the Ionian to the Baltic Sea, guided by a surveillance aircraft and refueled in the air carried out their mission. NATO has launched one of its biggest naval deployments since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month, with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle taking part in NATO-led military exercises for the first time. The French aircraft and its accompanying ships were the focus of naval strike exercises aimed at strengthening integration and interoperability among NATO nations.
NATO has described Neptune Strike (NEST) as a multinational, multi-domain enhanced vigilance exercise. The exercise aims to improve NATO’s ability to integrate maritime capabilities, including carrier strike groups, in support of allied defences. This is what the Rafale-M fighters did and excelled at. The Rafale M is a single-seat multi-mission aircraft. The manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, notes that the Rafale “meets the requirement to perform the widest possible range of missions with the smallest number of aircraft.” The Rafale M, the naval version of the fighter, can conduct air-to-ground, air-to-surface and air-to-air attacks in a single mission. The aircraft has proven its ability to conduct deep strikes. And this very capability could be of dramatic interest to India, which intends to acquire 26 Rafale M from France.
India
India has formally informed France of its intention to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Navy, thus starting the intergovernmental acquisition process. However, the two sides have yet to sign a formal agreement. If this deal goes through, France would have sold 62 Rafale aircraft to India, including 36 to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The order for the naval variant of the Rafale could be placed later this year to meet the urgent operational needs of the Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy is looking for a replacement for the aging MiG-29Ks it uses on its first Russian-made aircraft carrier. The Rafale-M will be used on the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September 2022. India is developing its own twin-engine aircraft carrier fighter (TEDBF) to meet its long-term needs. However, the Indian Navy has decided to buy a new fighter jet based on its short-term needs as it will take time to develop the indigenous naval aircraft. When India and France sign an agreement to purchase the Rafale M, the Indian Navy will become the first export customer of this version of the Rafale. The recent feat achieved by the aircraft during NATO naval exercises bodes well for the reputation of the French aircraft carrier, especially as the country seeks to further boost its exports.
