STATE OF THE IAF FIGHTER FLEET AFTER RAFALE INDUCTION

Top IAF commanders as well as independent aviation analysts believe that the Rafale gives the IAF capabilities that the Pakistan Air Force currently has no answer to

- JOSEPH NORONHA

THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR THE INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF). FOR over 15 agonising years the service was forced to watch its fighter fleet progressively dwindle, yet was unable to obtain urgent replacements. The tide at last seems to have turned with the welcome induction of two squadrons of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.

The Rafale is unquestionably a formidable beast, normally classified as a 4.5 generation combat jet. What is more, the IAF's Rafale comes with 13 India-specific enhancements (ISE) that make it the most advanced Rafale variant in the world. These enhancements are believed to include long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles, a low band frequency jammer, an advanced communication system, a more capable radio altimeter, a radar warning receiver, a flight data recorder, a high-altitude engine start-up system, a synthetic aperture radar, a ground moving target indicator and tracking system, an infra-red search and track system, a helmet-mounted display, missile approach warning systems, and very high frequency range decoys. The work of upgrading the IAF’s Rafale jets to ISE standards was entrusted to the Ambala air base which has necessary maintenance-cum-repair facilities.

The Rafale is significantly superior to other fighters in the IAF’s inventory. Being a relatively new aircraft (it entered service with the French Air Force in 2006) it also has a much longer operational life ahead. But what impact can just two squadrons have on the IAF’s combat capability?

RENDEZVOUS WITH RAFALE