In December 2023, India received its final Dassault Rafale fighter jet, completing the delivery of all 36 aircraft contracted in a landmark deal with France in 2016.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for the Indian Air Force (IAF), bolstering its capabilities and solidifying its position as a major regional power.
The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets was received on 29th July 2020. On 5 May 2021, India received a total of 20 French Rafale fighter jets. The French Rafale fighter Jet aircraft was inducted at Air Force Station Ambala, Haryana.
The IAF aircrew and ground crew had undergone comprehensive training in the fighter aircraft, including advanced weapons systems.
A total of 36 French Rafale Fighter jets with two squadrons will be part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2022. The first squadron of fighter aircraft will be operational from Ambala and the other one will be operational from Hashimara in West Bengal to combat the Chinese threat.
Indian Version of Rafale Fighter Jet That India Receives
The French Rafale Fighter Jets are equipped with potent meteor and scalp missiles which increase air strike capabilities and air dominance of the Indian Air Force.
The sensors of The Rafale are beyond range and Scalp a long-range cruise missile can be launched from an aircraft for deep strike to hit fixed and stationary targets.
Indian Air Force special officers had gone through full training in operations and maintenance of this fighter aircraft in France
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The aircraft has been designed with the special requirements to meet the expectations of the Indian Air Force and is capable of launching BRAHMOS Missile, the most powerful weapon designed and developed in India by former president and scientist APJ Abdul Kalam.
India decided to buy 36 French Rafale Fighter Jets in a government-to-government agreement. The Indian government makes the deal of these 36 Fighter Aircraft for 59,000 crore.
The purchase of the fighter aircraft also makes a storm with a claim of the opposition party that the government makes the deal at an inflated price. Russia also delivered Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Mikoyan-Gurevich MIG-29 Russian fighter aircraft jets to India.
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What is French Rafale Fighter Jet
The Rafale Fighter Jet is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft. It can operate from an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The Rafale is fully capable of carrying out all combat aviation missions with its air superiority and depth strike. It is also capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
The Rafale became a part of the French Navy in 2004 and joined its air force in 2006. He has taken part in more than 30.000 hours of operations. It has taken part in Syria, Iraq, Mali, and Afghanistan. India had ordered 36 Rafale fighters in 2016. Egypt and Qatar also ordered for Rafale.
Over the last few decades, the Air Force has become a major part of a defense military system. Almost every country spends a good amount on their air force development.
Air defense systems have become an important and strategic weapon of defense systems nowadays. India is one of the countries that spend a good amount to strengthen their air defense system. The air defense system plays an important role in conducting operations air-to-ground and air-to-sea operations effectively and safely.
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In the field of war, the air force is a part of forefront, and its power and efficiency play an important role and ensure the most powerful strikes with its technological weapons.
The Rafale is the right answer for the air defense system because of its capabilities and power for most countries. It is fully compatible to carry the widest range of weapons in his aircraft.
The Rafael has participated in the permanent “Quick Reaction Alert” (QRA) / Air-Defense / Air Sovereignty missions, power projection and deployments for external missions, deep strike missions, air support for ground forces, reconnaissance missions, pilot training, and nuclear deterrence duties.
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Specifications of Rafale Fighter Jet That India Receives
| Dimension | |
| Wing Span | 10.90 m |
| Length | 15.30 m |
| Height | 5.30 m |
| Performance | |
| Max. thrust | 2 x 7.5 t |
| Limit load | -3.2 g / +9 g |
| Max speed | M=1.8 / 750 knots |
| Approach speed | Less than 120 knots |
| Landing ground run | 450 m without drag |
| Service calling | 50,000 ft |
| Weight | |
| Empty weight | 10 t (22,000 lbs) |
| Max. take-off weight | 24.5 t (54,000 lbs) |
| Fuel (Internal) | 4.7 t (10,300 lbs) |
| Fuel (External) | Upto 6.7 t (14,700 lbs) |
| External load | 9.5 t (21,000 lbs) |
Rafale Fighter Jet by Design That India Receives
The Rafale Fighter Jet is developed to fulfill the requirement of the French Air Force and French Navy to replace their seven types of aircraft and to fulfill a demand for OMNIROLE aircraft to conduct various missions like:
- Anti-radar aircraft
- Close air support
- Air-to ground operations
- Anti-ship attack
- Nuclear deterrence
- Perfect targeting
These requirements were taken into account from the start of the Rafale’s development, leading engineers to invent an aircraft that goes beyond the needs of each type of mission.
This is the finest aircraft that deals with and fulfills all needs of all types of missions with the help of its finest engineering. due to its engineering and strength, it will be in the operations of the French Air Force until 2050 at least.
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Optimized Air Frame of The Rafale
The Rafale is a complete OMNIROLE fighter. It has three variants:
- C Rafael is a single-seater operated from land
- M Rafael is a single-seater for carrier operations
- B Rafael is a two-seater flown from a land base
All these three variants have a common airframe and a common mission system.
Flight Control System of Rafale
The Rafale has a delta wing with close-coupled canards. This feature works to ensure a good range of center-of-gravity positions for all flight conditions with great handling of the aircraft. The close-coupled delta wings or canards are the key to the combat performance of fighter aircraft. Its compact design ensures its performance in strike missions with heavy weapon loads.
The Rafale consists of an advanced Fly-By-Wire (FBW) Flight Control System (FCS) used for its excellent handling performance and longitudinal stability.
Fly-by-wire technology ensures the highest level of flight safety with unmatched experience. The Rafale is easy and safe to operate in all weather and circumstances with excellent handling performance throughout the whole operations.
The Rafale has auto-flight in terrain mode in all weather in its control system. This allows The Rafale to operate in unobserved opponent’s airspace. It is an important and major element of Rafale’s survivable factor in a high-threat environment.
Many of the stealth design aircraft features and classified and some of them are visible like the serrated pattern on the trailing edge of canards and wings. The radar cross-section of Rafale’s airframe has the lowest possible value of the most adequate outer mold line and materials.
Dassault Aviation is recognized all over the world for designing sturdy airframes with over 30 years of life of operations without heavy structural upgrades.
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The M88 – Engine of The Rafale Fighter Jet
The M88-2, a new-generation turbofan engine offers a high thrust-to-weight ratio that is easy to maintain with high dispatch reliability and lower operating costs.
The M88-2 has an integrally bladed compressor disk, which is an advanced technology with low pollution, smoke-free emission, ceramic coating, and composite material.
The Rafale engine is developed by Safran Aircraft Engines, leading the latest M88-4E version built on the TCO program. This engine offers a longer life, and it is fully operational. The production delivery of engines began in 2012 and now Rafale comes with an M88-4Es engine.
Radar, Sensors, and Specifications of The Rafale Fighter Jet That India Receives
RBE2 / AESA – “Radar of Rafale Fighter Jet“
The first Rafale Fighter Jet equipped with an “Active Electronically Scanned Array” (AESA) RBE2 radar was delivered to the French MoD in October 2012. The functions of AESA are:
- Detection and tracking of all aspects of look-up and look-down in the air of targets for close combat with long-range interception in all weather and severe jamming environments.
- Able to track targets in air combat.
- Consists of real-time generation of three-dimensional maps for a terrain of uncharted terrain in blind conditions.
- High-resolution 2D ground maps with real-time generation for navigation updates and detection, identification, and designation of ground targets.
- Ability to detect and track multiple naval targets.
- The Rafael is a solo fighter aircraft with all these functions and controls.
Front Sector Optronics (FSO) of The Rafale
The Rafale is equipped with the most powerful TV sensor FSO is amazingly identifying targets in blind situations. This sensor is developed by Thales.
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SPECTRA – Internal Electronic Warfare Suite of Rafale
Developed by Thales and MBDA. This system is a milestone of the Rafale to target the latest airborne and ground threats.
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Net-Centric Capability of Rafale
The net-centric enabled capabilities of The Rafale, its open architecture, its capabilities, and its data fusion software make The Rafale into an integrated battle space.
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TALIOS – Targeting and Laser Designation Pod of Rafale
The Rafale is capable of full day and night surveillance and laser-designated capabilities with the new laser designator pod Talios by Thales. It allows laser-guided weapons to be delivered with stand-off range and attitude.
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AREOS – Recce Pod with Quick Analysis Capability of Rafale
This sensor can be used day and night in a wide range of scenarios from low to high altitudes at a standoff distance. The AREOS pod is fitted with a data link that allows high-resolution images that can transmitted to make a military decision in quick and real time.
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Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Of Rafale
Computing power of Multi-sensor data fusion process data from RBE2-AESA radar, the “Front Sector Optronic” (FSO) System, the Spectra EW, The IFF, the data link, and The MICA infrared seeker.
With multi-sensor data fusion, The Rafale gives accurate, strong, and reliable tracks, reduced pilot workload, uncluttered display, increased situational awareness, and quicker pilot response.
A Unique Man-Machine Interface (MMI) of Rafale
The Rafale Fighter Jet is equipped with an easy-to-use pilot interface (MMI) with hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control with a touch screen.
The design of the cockpit makes The Rafale fighter jet an “OMNIROLE” fighter aircraft with increased G-protection and 29o tilted seats.
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Full Range of Advance Weapons of Rafale Fighter Jet That India Receives
- The MICA air-to-air beyond visual range combat and self-defense missiles, with IR (heat-seeking) and EM (active radar homing).
- the METEOR is a very long powered air-to-air, long-range range and ram-jet-powered missile.
- The HAMMER rocket boosted air-to-ground guided weapon series with INS/GPS/LASER guidance.
- The SCALP long-range stand-off missile.
- The AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missile.
- Laser-guided bombs with warheads from 500 lbs to 2,000 lbs.
- 30mm Internal cannon with 2500 rounds/min NEXTER 30M791 on both single and two-seaters.
The Rafale is equipped with “Buddy-Buddy” refueling in portions of the airspace out of reach of vulnerable and dedicated tanker aircraft.
Latest Update on India Rafale Fighter Jets Deal: FAQ
Who made the Rafale fighter jet
Dassault Aviation, a French company built Rafale fighter jets.
What is the Rafale fighter jet
The Rafael Fighter Jet is a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft. It can operate from an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The Rafael is fully capable of carrying out all combat aviation missions with its air superiority and depth strike. It is also capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Is f16 better than rafale
No,
The Meteor missile-armed in the Rafale can hit the F16 jet from 150 KM distance from air to air, while the F16 does so with the Amraam missile from a distance of 100 KM. … Through this data, we can say, that the Rafale fighter aircraft is better than the F16.
How Rafale fighter jet works
The Rafael has a delta wing with close-coupled canards. This feature works to ensure a good range of center-of-gravity positions for all flight conditions with great handling of the aircraft. The close-coupled delta wings or canards are the key to the combat performance of fighter aircraft. Its compact design ensures its performance in strike missions with heavy weapon loads.
How many Rafale fighter jets are in India
As of Jan 2024, India has 36 Rafale fleet. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, on a deal where India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 of the aircraft at a cost of ₹59,000 crore.
Which country made Rafale fighter jet
Dassault Aviation, a French country-based company built Rafale fighter jets.
What is the cost of a Rafale fighter jet
As of May 2021, India has 20 Rafale fleet. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, on a deal where India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 of the aircraft at a cost of ₹59,000 crore.
What is the Rafale fighter jet deal
India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to buy 36 of the aircraft at a cost of ₹59,000 crore. As of May 2021, India has 20 Rafale fleet. The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, 2020.
What is the actual cost of the Rafale fighter jet
On 12 March 2018, Former Minister of State for Defence of India, Subhash Bhamre informed in Rajya Sabha that the cost of each Rafale Jet Fighter is approx. Rs 670 crore excluding associated equipment, weapons, India-specific enhancement, maintenance support, and services.
Which company makes Rafale fighter jets
Dassault Aviation, a French country-based company built Rafale fighter jets.
Who makes Rafale fighter jets
Dassault Aviation, a French country-based company built Rafale fighter jets.
What is the cost of one Rafale fighter jet
Approximately Rs 670 Crore
On 12 March 2018, Former Minister of State for Defence of India, Subhash Bhamre informed in Rajya Sabha that the cost of each Rafale Jet Fighter is approximately Rs 670 crore excluding associated equipment, weapons, India-specific enhancement, maintenance support, and services.
Is the Rafale the best fighter jet in the world
Yes,
This is the finest aircraft that deals with and fulfills all needs of all types of missions with the help of its finest engineering. due to its engineering and strength, it will be in the operations of the French Air Force until 2050 at least.
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