India’s Rafale ‘strike’ flattens F-18 Super Hornet – Is the US fighter era ending? | World News

Washington: The loss of the Indian fighter jet contract was a heavy blow for American aerospace giant Boeing, bringing the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet near the end of its long operational journey. For decades, the Super Hornet served as the backbone of U.S. Navy carrier aviation and has remained a symbol of American air power around the world. This era now seems to be coming to an end, with India choosing France’s Rafale Marine for its naval aviation needs.

Boeing had pinned its eventual major export hopes on India. The company had offered an ambitious package to New Delhi, which included the production of the F/A-18 Super Hornet in the country as well as technology transfer under the Make in India initiative. The trials were conducted in Indian conditions and the jet was shown to be fully compatible with India’s aircraft carriers.

Despite the efforts, India trusted Rafale Marine and signed an agreement with France. This ended Boeing’s last realistic chance of keeping the Super Hornet production line alive through foreign orders.

Following the setback, Boeing previously confirmed plans to halt production of the Super Hornet. The company announced in 2023 that production would end in late 2025 after India’s decision was not in its favor. The timeline was extended slightly after the US Navy awarded Boeing a contract worth approximately $1.3 billion for 17 Block III Super Hornets and the critical technical data needed for long-term maintenance.

This order gave the program limited breathing room, with Boeing stating that final production would be completed in 2027 once existing commitments are met.

Signs of a slowdown in the program have already emerged across the supply chain. Subcontractor Northrop Grumman announced during its quarterly earnings call on Jan. 28 that it completed the final batch of major components, such as the Super Hornet’s fuselages and vertical tails, in 2025. Update, Boeing’s St. He stressed that time was running out for the production line in St. Louis, Missouri.

Aircraft upgrades will continue under a separate U.S. Navy contract worth about $931 million. The Service Life Modification program aims to keep existing jets flying safely for many more years.

Boeing’s struggle to secure new buyers has been going on for several years. Campaigns in Canada, Germany, Poland and Switzerland could not turn into orders. The Super Hornet has repeatedly lost ground to European rivals, including Sweden’s Gripen and France’s Rafale.

India emerged as the most critical opportunity. Boeing had publicly stated that a positive decision from the Indian Navy would extend Super Hornet production for at least two more years and the shutdown period would be extended until 2027.

Boeing has increased its aid to India with detailed investment plans and promises of deep industrial partnerships in 2022. The company talked about transferring advanced technologies and integrating Indian companies into the global supply chain. Trials were conducted at Indian facilities and the jet was positioned as a future-ready carrier fighter. India’s latest selection, the Rafale Marine, put an end to these ambitions and was a defining moment for the Super Hornet programme.

With New Delhi opting for the French fighter, Boeing now faces the reality of closing the chapter on a plane that once represented the cutting edge of US naval aviation. The Super Hornet will continue to fly with the U.S. Navy for years to come through upgrades and life extension programs. New production, once expected to extend into the future, now has a clear end.