‘ Sir, Next year you will have shining Rafales ‘ Quips anxious Pak Airforce Pilot, Who was leading Pak’s JF17 Aircraft demo on last year Paris Air show. Of course, no need of second guess, My looks and probing questions gave away my Indian loyalty !!
The interaction was quite cordial with mutual respect, Given PAF been most professional military services of trio – At par with IAF, But his sense of nervousness when things turned to Rafale didn’t go unnoticed.
So this begs question, What does Rafale brings to the table that makes adversary Airforce cold feet? Also, Does it offers a complete solution to IAF’s rapid depleting Squadron strength? and lastly, With Rafale in sleeve – Will there be no Abhinandan type saga?
IAF first batch of 5 fighters lined up for take-off from Dassault’s Bordeaux factory airfield, Will land on Ambala Airbase on 29th July covering distance of whopping 7000kms to be part of 17th Golden arrows Squadron.
Game-changing 4+ Gen Aircraft multirole capabilities
A fighter jet is much more than speed and ability to perform certain maneuvers, Its a platform in itself and can be judged by kind of Radar, Sensors, Electronic warfare avionics suites, and of course missiles it can carry and deliver.
Indian specific enhancements like Helmet mounted display, Towed Decoy – These are the most advanced Rafale ever flown, even a step further from Rafale’s delivered to Qatar in April this year.
This French fighter jet excels in each of these areas so much so that currently there is no Aircraft in entire South Asia to match its capabilities – Not even China’s 5th generation stealth J20. Here are some of the key niches
stealth J20 Pak F-16
Rafale armed with Meteor, Scalp, and Hammer is a deadly combo.
Radar – RBE 2 AESA Radar fitted in the nose can detect enemy fighter jets in excess of 100 km, Can engage 40 targets simultaneously- This gives IAF ability to ‘See first, Shoot First’, Especially handy with New BVR rules of engagements ‘ROE’ changes post-Feb 27th Skirmish with Pak- when F16 fired AMRAAM AIM120C at max range(D Max) on approaching SU30MKI from well within POK.
MBDA’s Meteor – Most lethal Beyond visual range missile currently exists- Range 120 Kms – largest ‘no-escape zone’ NEZ— the area within which the target can’t kinetically (using maneuvers) avoid being hit or the kill probability is very high.
In other words, China fighters nowhere to be seen close to the border and Pak F-16 are venerable moment they take off from Airbases in Islamabad and Rawalpindi !!
In addition to the inbuilt SPECTRA Advanced electronic warfare system, India specific modifications include Israeli’s Helmet mounted display, SCALP air to ground Cruise missiles with a range over 300 km, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infrared search and tracking systems among others.
Under current deal- India eligible for F4 upgrade planned in 2022 which makes Rafale’s Electronic warfare suite at par with US mighty F35’s
Furthermore, Considering emerging conflict situation with China, IAF used emergency procurement route and ordered Hammer AASM precision strike weapon system, In case we need to bomb Chinese positions at height like this(Shot taken by IAF Helo, North of THOSE, Ladakh)
Given Multirole capabilities, Utilization can be leveraged for
Nuclear strike missions that currently Mirage 2000 based in Gwalior airbase executes (In case Pak uses tactical nuclear weapons TNW’s)
Anti ship strike missions in Indian Ocean once integrated with French Exocet block 2 missiles to counter Chinese Navy’s frigates & destroyers.
Rafale to Rafale mid air refueling for extended range missions without the need of specific mid air refueling tankers like ll-78.
Network centric enhancements to integrate IAF/Army Drones & future war weapons like Swarm /Loyal wingman Drones currently in development jointly by DRDO and private players.
French Rafales are also battles proven in Libya/Syria ,Like in this case, Turkish Air Defense planner has no idea what stuck them !!
https://thearabweekly.com/rafale-attacks-turkish-targets-al-watiya-airbase-egyptian-or-french
Finally, Does Rafales firepower solved all IAF’s problems?
Of course not !!
IAF currently operates aging and depleting fleet of 30 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons and is set to phase out its MiG-21 fighters in the next few years further reducing the strength.
IAF intends to fill this gap by procuring 83 indigenous Tejas MK-1a variant aircraft from HAL, But deal file perhaps still lying on desk on MOD babu for approval.Honey pot of imports,Red tape gets in way of speedy inductions !
India’s own 5th Gen Aircraft AMCA still on papers and will take first flight not before 2032.
Only hope is bid to induct 126 foreign aircraft under 10 years old MMRCA deal But given sense of urgency (lack thereof !) ,Things are moving at snail pace !
No more Abhinandan type saga post Rafales?
Notwithstanding what WCo Abhinanadan has achieved on the morning of 27th Feb, Foiling Pak plans – There is no guarantee if there won’t be a repeat.
Primary reason is how IAF currently used Mig 21 – A fast interceptors,As first responders to any adversary aircraft intrusions . But also as Combat Air Petrol (CAP) missions to aggressively petrol skies when threat is imminent.
MIG 21 roles will not change post Rafales, will retire eventually or get replaced by homegrown Tejas !!
What Rafales brings to table is not just the technological most advanced platform but also ability to impact psychology of rival AF pilots !!
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu
