Finally, India gets Rafales
The fleet is expected to significantly boost the IAF’s combat capabilities at a time when India is locked in a tense border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
By IAR Desk
Five Rafale jets built by Dassault Aviation took flight from France for India today, July 27 as part of the two countries’ 36 fighter jet deal that was signed by the two countries in September 2016.l, reported the Asia News International (ANI) news agency. The twin-engine fighter jets took off from Dassault Aviation’s facility in Merignac, France.The fighter jets will be refuelled on the way by a French Air Force tanker aircraft and take a stopover at UAE Al Dhafra air base after which India will receive them on July 29.
ANI further reported that the Indian government had inked a direct deal with the French government to purchase 36 new Rafale fighter jets for 7.87 billion euros. The fleet is expected to significantly boost the IAF’s combat capabilities at a time when India is locked in a tense border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Jawed Ashraf who is India’s Ambassador to France interacted with IAF pilots before they took off from France. Reports suggest that as many as 12 IAF pilots and support crew have been fully trained for the aircraft so far. More personnel are being trained .
On October 8, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had officially received IAF’s first Rafale in France. The report also cited a statement by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,as saying at the handover ceremony that Rafale aircraft would add to the strength of the IAF. All 36 jets were expected to arrive in India by September 2022, for which the IAF has been reportedly undertaking preparations, including readying required infrastructure. However, this could be delayed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
There is great importance of Rafale with respect to helping Indian armed forces. The Rafale weapons package outguns all other weapons systems in the region giving India the ability to note enemy jets from a distance without being tracked.
The air-to-ground SCALP missile will be able to take down virtually any target with great accuracy. It also has a range of much over 300 km, giving it the ability to take out targets with extreme accuracy. The Indian jets would not have to cross the Line of Actual Control and conduct strikes from within their own airspace.
According to ANI the manufacturer describes it as a fully versatile aircraft that can carry out all combat aviation missions to achieve air superiority and air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. The aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. Meteor is the next generation of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. The weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. The Meteor is powered by a unique rocket-ramjet motor that gives it far more engine power for much longer than any other missile, said an official.
Besides the missile systems, the Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications. This includes Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low-band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems, among others. The fighter jet deal has had its share of controversies. It ballooned to become a 2019 general election campaign flashpoint between the government and the opposition-led by Congress.
