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Why Rafale is important for India?
The Indian air force is the world’s 4th strongest air force. But from the past years, the Indian Air Force was missing with the technical upgrade and new generation fighter jets, its 15 years since the Indian Air Force (IAF) embarked on a process to procure a new fighter.
Concerning to the Indian air force problem the Indian Government in 2012 India eventually selected the Dassault Rafale from a competition that included Russia’s Mikoyan MiG-35, the Saab JAS-39E from Sweden, the Eurofighter, and both the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and a developed version of the Lockheed Martin F-16.
By 2015 the two sides had not agreed on localized production, and in 2016 the new government of prime minister Narendra Modi ordered 36 Rafale’s “off-the-shelf,” on 8th Oct 2019, on the occasion of The Air Force Day, the first of which has already been officially handed over to India.
Now the question arises that what are the features and benefits of Rafale Jets that India is so crazy about it.
Procurement of New Generation Aircraft (Rafale)
The Indian Government in 2007, has opened up a tender for fulfilling his new generation multi combat aircraft needs, that includes Russia’s Mikoyan MiG-35, the Saab JAS-39E from Sweden, the Eurofighter, and both the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and a developed version of the Lockheed Martin F-16, a
On 27th April 2011, on the last competition, the Eurofighter and The Rahel has been shortlisted according to the Indian Situations, and at the last 31 Jan 2012 due to less price and on-field trail tests, and according to Indian Situation and Standards, the Rafale wins the tender.
India always uses to buy fighter jets from Russia weather its MiG27 range fighter jets or MIG35 to improve its air strength and capabilities, But now India has changed his ways and planned to purchase new-generation fighter jets from France. and for this deal, India can pay any cost. Although the price of the jet is controversial, that’s the reason we can’t reveal the price. Nut again the question arises that what are the features and benefits of Rafael Jets that India is so crazy about it.
Rafale Qualities
The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The fully versatile Rafale can carry out all combat aviation missions:
- air superiority and air defense,
- close air support,
- in-depth strikes,
- reconnaissance,
- anti-ship strikes
- and nuclear deterrence.
Four batches of 13, 48, 59, and 60 aircraft have been ordered by the French MoD, totaling 132 aircraft for the French Air Force (63 Rafale B two-seaters and 69 Rafale C single-seaters) and 48 Rafale M naval single-seaters for the French Navy. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. With more than 30,000 flight hours in operations, it has proven its worth in combat in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.
Standard F3 is the current release. It has been qualified by the French MoD in 2008. It adds air reconnaissance with the Areos recce pod, anti-ship with the AM39 Exocet (implemented in Rafale B, C, and M), and the nuclear capability with the ASMPA. The first Rafale F3 was delivered to the French Air Force Operational Evaluation Centre (CEAM) in mid-2008 at Mont-de-Marsan AFB, in full accordance with the contracted delivery schedule.
Rafale Performances
| Max. thrust | 2 x 7.5 t |
| Limit load factors | -3.2 g / +9 g |
| Max. speed | M = 1.8 / 750 knots |
| Approach speed | less than 120 knots |
| Landing ground run | 450 m (1,500 ft) without drag-chute |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft |
Rafale Weight:
| Overall empty weight | 10 t (22,000 lbs) class |
| Max. take-off weight | 24.5 t (54,000 lbs) |
| Fuel(internal) | 4.7 t (10,300 lbs) |
| Fuel(external) | up to 6.7 t (14,700 lbs) |
| External load | 9.5 t (21,000 lbs) |
Rafale Dimensions:
| Wingspan | 10.90 m |
| Length | 15.30 m |
| Height | 5.30 m |
- Versatility, that is the capability, with the same system, to perform different missions,
- Interoperability, or the ability to fight in coalition with the allies, using common procedures and standards agreements, and collaborating and communicating in real-time with other systems,
- Flexibility, which can be illustrated by the ability to conduct several different missions in the course of the same sortie (“Omnirole“ capability). With this capability, it is possible to switch instantly on the demand of a political decision-maker, from a coercion mission (“strike force”) to a preventive mission (a dissuasive low-altitude, high-speed “show of force”), or even to cancel a mission until the last second (reversibility),
- Survivability, that is the capability to survive in a dense threat environment thanks to stealthiness and/or to advanced electronic warfare systems.
The Rafale weapons:
- The MICA air-to-air “Beyond Visual Range” (BVR) interception, combat and self-defense missiles, in their IR (heat-seeking) and EM (active radar homing) The MICA can be used within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR).
- The METEOR very long-range air-to-air missile, The METEOR very long-range rocket and ram-jet powered air-to-air EM missile. Its combination with the Rafale weapon system is a real paradigm change in air to air affairs.
- The HAMMER (standing for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) modular, rocket-boosted air-to-ground precision-guided weapon series, fitted with INS/GPS or INS/GPS/IIR (imaging infra-red) guidance kits, or with the upcoming INS/GPS/laser guidance
- The SCALP long-range stand-off missile,
- The AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missile,
- Laser-guided bombs with different warheads from 500lbs to 2,000 lbs
- Classic bombs non guided
- The 2500 rounds/min NEXTER 30M791 30 mm internal cannon, available on both single and two-seaters
- Specifics armaments selected by some clients.
The Rafale’s store management system is Mil-Std-1760 compliant, which provides for easy integration of customer-selected weapons.
With its 10-tonne empty weight, the Rafale is fitted with 14 hardpoints (13 on the RAFALE M). Five of them are capable of drop tanks and heavy ordnance. The total external load capacity is more than nine tonnes (20,000 lbs.). Hence, RAFALE can lift the equivalent of its own empty weight in payloads.
“Buddy-buddy” refueling missions can be carried out in portions of the airspace out of reach of dedicated and vulnerable tanker aircraft.