To conclude the Rafale deal of 36 aircrafts, three of the four remaining fighter jets are expected to reach India in February. The fourth one, however, is expected to arrive in April, and is the same that was used by Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilots for training purposes after deliveries started from France.

What makes this development significant is the fact that there four aircrafts are fitted with India specific enhancements, which will give extra teeth to engage with any regional challenger.

It is anticipated that the three Rafale fighters will leave Istres-Le Tube air base in south of France on February 1 or 2 (tentative), depending on the weather conditions. The aircrafts will be refuelled mid-air by India’s ally, the United Arab Emirates, using Airbus multi-role transport tankers before reaching their destination. 

The last fighter jet is nearly ready with fresh paint and enhancements, but it will arrive only in April this year due to reasons best known to the IAF. This fighter was also inspected by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at the Istre-Le air base during his visit to France for a high level defence dialogue in December 2021.

The Indian specific modifications include long range Meteor air-to-air missile, low band frequency jammers, advanced communication systems, more capable radio altimeter, radar warning receiver, high altitude engine start up, synthetic aperture radar, ground moving target indicator and tracking, missile approach warning systems, and very high frequency range decoys.

After the arrival of the fighter jets, the IAF will test the specific enhancements to their satisfaction under Indian conditions apart from verifying the original equipment. Post this, work will begin in retrofitting the remaining 32 aircraft at Ambala air base in western sector and Hasimara air base (West Bengal) in eastern sector with the India specific enhancements. The upgrade will be carried out at Ambala air base which has the maintenance-cum-repair set-up for Rafale fighters in India.

Dassault Aviation exhibits Rafale M ski-jump to Indian Navy

The Indian Navy, on Monday, was showcased with ski-jump by Rafale M, which is the marine version of the French fighter jet. The demonstration ski-jump from the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa, in Goa, was done by Dassault Aviation, which has brought the marine version to project its capabilities to operate from Indian aircraft carriers to the Indian Navy.

Ski-jump is a crucial take-off capability needed to operate from Indian aircraft carriers. 

Dassault Aviation, the French aircraft manufacturer, and Boeing, the American aviation player are seeking for a huge deal with the Indian Navy as the latter is looking for at least two squadrons of new fighters that will operate from its aircraft carriers.

Back in 2017, the Navy had issued a Request for Information (RFI) to foreign players for 57 new fighters, but as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a Twin-Engine Carrier-Based Deck Fighter (TEBDF), the former is expected to cut down its requirement for foreign fighters.

As per the reports, the Monday event in Goa was not a trial, but a demonstration to showcase the fighter jets’ capabilities to work in Indian environment. The Navy is bidding to procure some aircrafts that will replace the MiG 29K.

Similarly, Boeing will also bring its F/A 18 Super Hornet to the same facility in Goa to exhibit its ski-jump capability in March.