Rafale jets formally inducted into IAF: How it will 'revolutionise' our military capabilities

Its weapons package, radars and avionics make it a gamechanger in the region

Rafale-get-water-canon-salute-during-Induction-at-Ambala-sanjay-ahlwat One of the first five Rafale fighter jets formally inducted as part of 17 Squadron | Sanjay Ahlawat

French-made, omnirole Rafale fighter jets were formally commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday. Rafales are the first major fighters to be inducted into the service since the Sukhoi-30 from Russia in 1997; this ends the IAF wait for a medium-weight multirole air superiority aircraft.

The induction of Rafale—which literally means 'gust of wind', or 'burst of fire' in a more military sense—comes amid clouds of a possible war with China, as situation continues to be fluid on the border. India got five jets last month, while four more are expected to arrive by October. The complete delivery of 36 Rafale aircrafts is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly presided over the event. "I am confident that our Air Force has acquired a technological edge with Rafale," Rajnath Singh said on the occasion, while adding that "induction of Rafale is important given the kind of situation that has been created on our borders in the recent days". Rajnath added that this was a strong message to the world, and especially for those who challenged India’s sovereignty.

"Rafale, with its multi-role capabilities, can perform a variety of tasks including air superiority missions and precision strikes against enemies," Rajnath said while adding: "I am confident that the capabilities and technological edge acquired with Rafale induction will revolutionise the IAF capabilities."

"I am happy to state that, in the security concerns of this region, the views of India and France converge, and we are cooperating with each other in dealing with common challenges like maritime traffic security and piracy," said Rajnath Singh. 

Indian and French delegations held a bilateral meeting after the ceremony. Florence Parley, French defense minister, used the opportunity to reiterate that France supports India’s candidacy for the UN Security Council. She said that, in strategic terms, "India will have an edge over the entire region".

A traditional sarva dharma puja was performed, followed by an air display by Rafale and indigenous Tejas, as well as by Sarang helicopter aerobatic team. Then, the traditional water cannon salute was given before the ceremonial induction of Rafale jets to Golden Arrows 17 Squadron, Ambala—the oldest airbase of IAF.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, in his inaugural address, said the oldest air force station of IAF, Ambala, will now be home to the newest aircraft. "From Ambala air base, Rafales will be able to rapidly access our areas of interest."

"What we see today is a decisive action by the government," the IAF chief said, commenting on the decades-long failed negotiations by the Congress-led UPA government.

The Ambala air base is key for the IAF; it houses two squadrons of the Jaguar fighters and one squadron of MiG-21 Bison. Hasimara in West Bengal will house the second Rafale squadron. The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) R.K.S. Bhadauria, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and DRDO Chief Dr G. Satheesh Reddy were present for the event. The French delegation were represented by Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France, and Eric Trappier, head of Dassault Aviation.

The five jets, three single-seat and two twin-seater trainers, landed in India on July 29. The aircraft covered a distance of nearly 8,500 km from France to India, with a stopover in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Touted as an "omnirole" fighter, the 4.5 generation Rafale can take up several missions during a single flight, including air-defence, air-superiority, anti-access and area-denial, recon, close-air support, dynamic targeting, air-to-ground precision strikes, anti-ship attacks, nuclear deterrence and buddy-to-buddy refuelling. The Rafale can reach almost twice the speed of sound with a top speed of 1.8 mach.

Its weapons package, radars and avionics make it a gamechanger in the region if pitted against China’s J-20 and Pakistan’s F-16. While the Rafale has already proven its combat potential in missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Mali, the J-20 has not experienced any combat mission so far.

Aiming to deploy the Rafale along the border with China, the IAF made a last-minute purchase of HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) missiles to add to the fighter jet’s lethality. HAMMER is an air-to-ground precision missile that has a range of 60km—perfectly suited for high-altitude operations.

The Rafale’s cold engine start capability allows it to be operated from high-altitude airbases including Leh. Its weapons package, provided by MBDA missile systems, is what makes it truly valuable—Meteor BVR air-to-air missiles, SCALP cruise missiles and MICA.

The Meteor missile is the Rafale’s most critical weapon. It is powered by a unique rocket-ramjet motor that gives it higher engine power with better longevity. It can fly faster, longer and can be manoeuvred better than any other missile, granting it the ability to chase down and destroy agile hostile fighters at the farthest of ranges. As a result, the Meteor has a no-escape zone many times greater than any other air-to-air missile.

SCALP deep-strike cruise missile, a stealth weapon, will strike hardened and protected targets deep within hostile territory—without the need for the Rafale to enter hostile airspaces. Its MICA missile is the only one in the world featuring two inter-operable seekers (active radar and imaging infrared), covering the spectrum from close-in dogfight to beyond visual range.

Attending the induction ceremony in Ambala, Eric Beranger, MBDA Chief Executive Officer, declared: “MBDA has built a close partnership for over 50 years with India’s armed forces. We are very proud to be equipping the IAF’s Rafales with a full comprehensive weapons package that include the game-changing Meteor and MICA air-to-air missiles and the SCALP cruise missiles to conduct deep strike missions in a complex and severe environment."

Indian finalised the order of 36 Rafale jets from France, with India-specific enhancements (ISE), at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore in September 2017. The IAF is down to 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 43—the number deemed sufficient to meet a two-front (China and Pakistan) challenge. It includes Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low-band jammers, infra-red search and tracking systems among others.

But, soon after inking, the deal was mired with allegations of corruption and crony capitalism. Opposition parties targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for paying a higher cost than what was discussed by the Congress-led UPA government. The deal became a controversial issue during the first tenure of the Modi government—the Congress tried to make it an election card. But, in 2019, when the Modi government returned to power with a huge mandate, the controversy subsided.

TAGS

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines