Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter bd popeye
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Very nice. The Rafale is an underappreciated fighter. Will they be getting the updated AESA or the old PESA? We'll get ready for media articles telling us how IAF Rafales managed to detect and lock onto J-20s from 1000km away.
But seriously, this is a massively competent fighter if they bring Meteor onboard and if it gets the new AESA. Bit of a letdown for India's domestic industry though. Investing all that money (if they persist with >100 orders). It will no doubt be better than what domestic industries can bring in the short term, but this sets them back just that much further in terms of developing their own aircraft design and manufacturing industry. Everyone who is behind needs to start from somewhere relatively modest but great if they get isolated or broad breakthroughs to leapfrog in certain areas. At the moment that doesn't seem like it can happen with the absolute absence of cohesive organisation and proper political backing.
The LCA was a good idea on paper and if they poured the funds to really develop in that direction, India's domestic industry may genuinely be a bit further towards actually capable of developing their AMCA. At the moment, we'll wait and see about that. In the meantime, Turkey and Pakistan are partnering up for their 5th gen fighter program. If they get the correct isolated support for sub-systems and partner with Russian, European, and Chinese suppliers, they could make their design a reality. By then MKI and Rafale will seriously need a 5th gen to supplement them.
The deal is worth 8.5 Billion Dollars !
That is huge for a package of 36 aircrafts (2 squadrons).
The french do know how to do business. This means France will be able to proceed with their NGF program. This would also mean helping the French Aerospace Industries by giving them the capital boost they so much require to stay competent. As for India ... I feel sympathy. India isn't exactly very rich. Quite poor. Comparable to African continent (which has less population compared to India but more resources). What was the reason for the desperate "36 only" buy ? Why not buy more? Why not go with F-16/ F-21? They ought to have sunk that money (or half atleast ) on their own fighter jet TEJAS.
The $8.5B is for a lot more than just the fighters themselves. Included are, supposedly, close to $1B of weapons, $2B of spares including increased uptime assurance and extra equipment, not standard to the general airframes procured, to make these the lead pack of attack missions.The base price for aircrafts is close to $100-110 m.
The reason for 'only 36' was probably to create a qualitative edge on its adversary within a short time frame.
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36 Rafales will give it a qualitative edge over Pakistan for a short time sure. But India really already enjoys an edge over Pakistan as things are and this is 36 well supported Rafales. Not 360. Of course the deal comes with weapons and spares and support and training etc. It's still over $200M USD per plane as an overall package. WOW. Did not expect that. Good for the French though. Impressive industry and technology, the Rafale and Dassault should have got some customers. Curiously only India so far after many bites.
timepass
Brigadier
There is a famous quote " The machine isn't matter...is the man behind the machine" .... Hence, Pakistan defiantly working on options but not at all worried... because we all know the IAF safety standards...
God help, Rafale...
Can't always use the man behind the machine line. I mean it's great political nonsense but all men are more or less equally capable. Sure some doctrines and training are better than others and some individuals are better than others but that's a pathetic cop out statement and I think deep down, people who say that know it is.
The Americans always said they're the most well trained, super human soldiers. Then come competitions and they lose plenty. Then come wars and their doctrines do have holes. Having arrogance here will seal the fate.
Everyone works towards bettering their doctrine and training and men but that's a separate matter to equipment.
The Americans always said they're the most well trained, super human soldiers. Then come competitions and they lose plenty. Then come wars and their doctrines do have holes. Having arrogance here will seal the fate.
Everyone works towards bettering their doctrine and training and men but that's a separate matter to equipment.