Context: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 114 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Under the plan, 96 jets will be manufactured in India through a strategic partnership model, integrating indigenous weapons such as Astra and BrahMos-NG missiles.
About Rafale Fighter Jet
The Rafale is a 4.5-generation twin-engine multirole combat aircraft developed by France’s Dassault Aviation. Designed as an “omnirole” platform, it can perform air superiority, deep strike, reconnaissance, nuclear delivery, and maritime missions within a single sortie.
It uses a canard-delta aerodynamic configuration, providing high manoeuvrability and stability across combat envelopes. Powered by two Snecma M88 engines, the aircraft can achieve Mach 1.8 and operate up to 50,000 ft, with limited supercruise capability (supersonic flight without afterburner).
Advanced Sensors and Electronic Warfare
The Rafale’s combat effectiveness stems from advanced avionics and survivability systems:
- RBE2 AESA radar: Enables simultaneous detection, tracking, and engagement of multiple airborne and ground targets at long ranges.
- SPECTRA EW suite: Provides electronic intelligence, threat detection, jamming, and decoy deployment for survivability in contested airspace.
- Sensor fusion: Integrates radar, infrared search-and-track, and electronic signals into a single tactical picture for the pilot.
India-specific enhancements include helmet-mounted sights, low-band jammers, and cold-start capability for operations from high-altitude Himalayan bases.
Weapons Integration
Rafale carries a wide spectrum of advanced weapons:
- Meteor BVR missile (>150 km): Ramjet-powered air-to-air missile providing unmatched no-escape zone in aerial combat.
- MICA missile: Short- to medium-range interception in both IR and RF variants.
- SCALP cruise missile: Long-range precision strike against hardened targets deep inside adversary territory.
- HAMMER precision weapon: High-altitude stand-off strike capability in mountainous terrain.
- Nuclear delivery capability: Strengthens the air-based leg of India’s nuclear triad.
Future integration of Astra Mk-2 and BrahMos-NG will deepen indigenisation and strike reach.
Strategic Significance for India
The 114-jet programme addresses the IAF’s declining squadron strength and modernisation gap. Domestic production enhances technology transfer, aerospace manufacturing capability, and supply-chain resilience under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Operationally, Rafale improves India’s ability to conduct multi-domain air operations, especially in high-threat environments along northern and western borders. Its long-range sensors and weapons enhance deterrence credibility against advanced regional adversaries.
Thus, Rafale represents not merely a fighter acquisition but a capability leap in India’s airpower doctrine, combining indigenous integration with proven Western combat technology.