Indeed. Further, IAF is moving ahead with finalization of two more sqdns orders along with Rafale-M deal for IN, that were earlier under LIMBO.
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Indeed. Further, IAF is moving ahead with finalization of two more sqdns orders along with Rafale-M deal for IN, that were earlier under LIMBO.
Yes I dont mean to imply its bad or anything, its a wonderful plane and it depends entirely on how its used, when they finish their meteor integration it will be good. Plus they do have the numbers advantage too.
But the way India politicians and a certain army airforce chief had been 'selling' the Rafale to the public or how it will kill J20's will stop now, meanwhile they look for next superior thing.
Huh replacing the jaguars with mig29's, I guess if they can maintain them well enough its good to fill the squadron numbers and use for support roles.
It seems like you're referring to the M2Ks instead MIG-29s, but the broader idea holds, using available platforms to maintain squadron strength and perform support roles.
There's precedent for this kind of strategy (perfect example is PAF with Mirage IIIs & Vs), where older or grounded aircraft were acquired in large numbers and upgraded to remain operationally relevant. With the right modernization approach, even legacy platforms can serve effectively for decades.
The Rafale is a decent plane but I don't think that it makes sense for India to acquire them in large numbers. They are simply too expensive, and they are inferior to J-10s in the air to air role. Addressing the BVR inferiority of the IAF should be the primary goal and the Rafale simply isn't the solution to that.
I think that the problem is that India simply has more pressing needs. Right now, the Mirage 2000 is a lot more limited than it used to be. It can't really be used in air to air roles against China or Pakistan, and it's likely unsafe for them to be used in strike roles on those fronts as well. That pretty much leaves them with COIN roles or other quiet theaters. In contrast, I believe that Pakistan stations their Mirages away from the Indian front to free up its more capable aircraft.
With the current Indian fighter strength, it makes sense to hang to the Mirage 2000s until they can be replaced, but upgrading them should be a very low priority. These planes are already at least 35 years old and these airframes are starting to suffer structural fatigue issues. I don't know if it's really worth it to keep them for that much longer. Ideally, the IAF would find a good plane that would meet their air to air needs, and any aircraft that currently has this role can do the Mirage 2000's job and the latter can finally be retired. Of course, if India doesn't find a good solution for their air to air needs, then that's a different story, but it's probably the worst outcome.
That’s a fair perspective, but there’s also something to be said for a PAF-style approach. Pakistan managed to keep even older and obsolete Mirage III/V airframes operational and relevant for decades through overhauls and targeted modernization. That strategy helped them maintain fleet strength without relying heavily on new acquisitions.
If the IAF is considering a similar path, upgrading Mirage 2000s into “mini-Rafales” and increasing their numbers back toward 100, it could be a worthwhile move. With proper structural assessments and selective upgrades, these aircraft could continue to serve in key roles for another decade or so.
Importantly, this approach would also buy India valuable time to further develop and field indigenous options like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.
In the meantime, M2Ks remains more capable than Jaguars or MiG-21s, and arguably comparable to MiG-29s, especially considering the IAF is still acquiring more MiG-29s.
So rather than letting them fade out, modernizing them could be a cost-effective way to bridge the capability gap.
Wasn't the IN's Rafale M order , or did the Franco-Indian transaction run into Murphy's Law afterwards?
TBF, beggars can't be choosers.
The alternatives are what: the F/A-18E/F, if not a downgraded version thereof, or possibly an upgraded version of the MiG-29K . . .
Indeed. The Indian Navy’s Rafale-M deal was finalized in April 2025, with CCS clearance followed by formal signing on April 28. The contract includes 26 jets (22 Rafale-M and 4 twin-seat Rafale-B trainers), tailored for carrier operations.
This wasn’t a case of Murphy’s Law intervening post-April rather, delivery timelines (2029–31) reflect Dassault’s current production bandwidth and international commitments.
To clarify my earlier point: Alongside the Navy’s Rafale-M acquisition, the Indian Air Force is now moving forward with plans to acquire two additional Rafale squadrons, which had earlier been in limbo. This renewed momentum comes as part of a broader effort to consolidate air combat capabilities across both services but the IAF's expansion involves standard Rafales, not the naval M variant.
As for alternatives:
- The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was evaluated but lost out due to inferior ski-jump performance and lack of existing fleet synergy.
- Upgraded MiG-29Ks were never a realistic long-term option given persistent reliability and logistics issues.
- The indigenous TEDBF is still in development, with operational readiness expected no earlier than the late 2030s.
So, while some might quip that “beggars can’t be choosers,” the Rafale-M selection and IAF’s renewed push for additional squadrons suggest a deliberate strategy not a lack of options.
I think there are a lot of differences. Pakistan is using their Mirages in COIN roles; it's a undemanding job and lets the PAF baby these planes to stretch out their lifespan. But the use of "mini-Rafale" sounds like a front line role. It'll probably be at least another five years before any extensive upgrades are completed to the Mirage 2000 fleet, so that means India is pushing a 40+ year old plane into front line roles. It just doesn't sound like a good idea.
I don't think it's realistic for India to buy American fighters. Even if the planes are perfect for what the IAF needs, the limitations the Americans put on how they are used makes them very unappealing.
That's a valid concern, but I think the comparison deserves a more nuanced look. While Pakistan’s use of its Mirages in low-intensity COIN roles allows them to extend airframe life, the IAF operates in a far more complex threat environment, which demands more capable platforms across multiple roles.
Referring to upgraded Mirage 2000s as "mini-Rafales" isn’t about equating them with the Rafale’s full multirole capabilities but rather acknowledging the enhanced performance these aircraft offer after their avionics and weapons upgrades. They remain far more capable than Jaguars or MiG-21s, and in some respects, even comparable to the MiG-29s, especially as the IAF is still inducting more of those as well.
Importantly, the modernization of the Mirage 2000 fleet could act as a cost-effective bridge, maintaining operational strength while India prepares for the next generation of indigenous fighters like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.
At the same time, the IAF is reportedly planning to acquire two additional squadrons of Rafales, which will significantly bolster its frontline strength in the medium to long term.
So while relying on upgraded M2Ks in front-line roles isn’t ideal over the long haul, in the current strategic and procurement context, it’s a practical step to sustain capability and readiness.
Indian media showing off their new vehicles and heavy weapons for the border regions facing Pakistan and China. They boasted that these equipment were all Indian indeginious designs and manufacture. Jai Hind!
This comment sums up everything perfectly:
This comment sums up everything perfectly: