Rafale DH/EH of Indian Air Force : News and Discussions

Rafale could be used against China as a deterence asset by itself.
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Indonesia
has advanced talks with France for the acquisition of Rafale aircraft,Scorpene submarines and Gowind corvettes which would figure in apotential defence cooperation deal between the two countries to be signed later this year.
Jakarta is interested in acquiring 48 Rafale jets (could be more 36), up to 4 Scorpene submarines armed with Exocet SM39 missile and by two 2,500-ton Gowind corvettes, French publication LATribune said quoting informed sources.The potential purchases are worth an estimated $25-$28 billion.
The immediate need for rushing to Paris with a shopping list for Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines and Gowind corvettes is to achieve technological and qualitative superiority over China which is flexing its muscles in the South China Sea. Already several incidents of face-off between the Indonesian coast guard and Chinese naval vessels have been reported in recent months around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese naval ships are seen as escorting fishing boats accused of fishing in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone.
An Indonesian industry source told Defenseworld.net that current Indonesian military hardware such as Russian Su-30 jets and
South-Korean sourced warships are “inadequate to mount an effective deterrent” against Chinese military might.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly last Monday besidesdiscussions with French defence firms such as Dassault Aviation, Thales, Naval Group and Nexter. Prabowo expressed hope that the French defense industry could help Indonesia to improve its defense capacitythrough technology transfers.
"As a country with an advanced defense industry, France can be a strategic partner in Indonesia's efforts to modernize its weaponry defense system and accelerate the development of our national defense industry. This will support efforts to make the national defense industry a part of the 'global production chain'. In this context, our defense minister placed special attention on the development of thedefense industry when discussing defense cooperation,” a press statement from the Indonesian embassy in Paris said.
If the defence cooperation agreement comes through, Indonesia would quickly initiate the purchases, estimated to be worth an estimated $25 billion through anintergovernmental agreement between France and Indonesia.
France has already proposed sales of the Scorpene submarines either off-the-shelf or through a technology transfer (ToT) with the Indonesian group PT PAL. A working group has already been set up between Naval Group and the Indonesian Navy to study these proposals.
The Rafale purchase would seriously affect on-going plans to purchase the Russian Su-35 jets and another plan to buy Lockheed Martin F-16 jets.
 
Rafale could be used against China as a deterence asset by itself.
https://www.defenseworld.ne...
Indonesia
has advanced talks with France for the acquisition of Rafale aircraft,Scorpene submarines and Gowind corvettes which would figure in apotential defence cooperation deal between the two countries to be signed later this year.
Jakarta is interested in acquiring 48 Rafale jets (could be more 36), up to 4 Scorpene submarines armed with Exocet SM39 missile and by two 2,500-ton Gowind corvettes, French publication LATribune said quoting informed sources.The potential purchases are worth an estimated $25-$28 billion.
The immediate need for rushing to Paris with a shopping list for Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines and Gowind corvettes is to achieve technological and qualitative superiority over China which is flexing its muscles in the South China Sea. Already several incidents of face-off between the Indonesian coast guard and Chinese naval vessels have been reported in recent months around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The Chinese naval ships are seen as escorting fishing boats accused of fishing in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone.
An Indonesian industry source told Defenseworld.net that current Indonesian military hardware such as Russian Su-30 jets and
South-Korean sourced warships are “inadequate to mount an effective deterrent” against Chinese military might.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Florence Parly last Monday besidesdiscussions with French defence firms such as Dassault Aviation, Thales, Naval Group and Nexter. Prabowo expressed hope that the French defense industry could help Indonesia to improve its defense capacitythrough technology transfers.
"As a country with an advanced defense industry, France can be a strategic partner in Indonesia's efforts to modernize its weaponry defense system and accelerate the development of our national defense industry. This will support efforts to make the national defense industry a part of the 'global production chain'. In this context, our defense minister placed special attention on the development of thedefense industry when discussing defense cooperation,” a press statement from the Indonesian embassy in Paris said.
If the defence cooperation agreement comes through, Indonesia would quickly initiate the purchases, estimated to be worth an estimated $25 billion through anintergovernmental agreement between France and Indonesia.
France has already proposed sales of the Scorpene submarines either off-the-shelf or through a technology transfer (ToT) with the Indonesian group PT PAL. A working group has already been set up between Naval Group and the Indonesian Navy to study these proposals.
The Rafale purchase would seriously affect on-going plans to purchase the Russian Su-35 jets and another plan to buy Lockheed Martin F-16 jets.

The large number of Rafales should put pressure on S Korea for the KFX during renegotiation.

I hope France is gaining ground in Vietnam as well.
 

@Bon Plan
If successful, this deal will prove that Rafale and French were the right choice by IAF and will be for the IN too.

Buying anything else will be a repeat of Mig 29 saga once again in terms of logistics and weapon choices. We should convince the French to bring down the cost and order few more of the F4 version.

Other than Our own platforms like LCA MK2/AMCA or TED-BF , Rafale seems the only logical choice as an interim Naval Fighter too.
 
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@Bon Plan
If successful, this deal will prove that Rafale and French were the right choice by IAF and will be for the IN too.

Buying anything else will be a repeat of Mig 29 saga once again in terms of logistics and weapon choices. We should convince the French to bring down the cost and order few more of the F4 version.

Other than Our own platforms like LCA MK2/AMCA or TED-BF , Rafale seems the only logical choice as an interim Naval Fighter too.
If the above news is true and if we were to scrap MRCA 2.0, we need to order the extra Rafale's by end of next year, so that we are not way too behind in the pecking order for Dassault to deliver them in the next 4-5 years. Greece had already placed orders for a few.
 
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If the above news is true and if we were to scrap MRCA 2.0, we need to order the extra Rafale's by end of next year, so that we are not way too behind in the pecking order for Dassault to deliver them in the next 4-5 years. Greece had already placed orders for a few.

It won't be an issue since an assembly line is being built in India. So the next batch of 36 we order can be assembled in India. Perhaps even some parts of the aircraft can be manufactured in India at this time.
 
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We should convince the French to bring down the cost and order few more of the F4 version.
A next significant batch would imply an assembly line in India, with more and more components made in India (depending of the number ordered and/or the repeat orders). F4 will be ready for 2023/2034. After that a F5 will be on study. The way is paved up to F6.

Don't ask me the content of F5 or F6 : I don't know.

Maybe : conformal tanks, more powerfull and fuel saving engine, conformal arays (maybe in the F4.2 ???), air to ground weapons in stealthy cocoon, full aperture optronic system, laser in offensive and defensiv role, ....
 
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A next significant batch would imply an assembly line in India, with more and more components made in India (depending of the number ordered and/or the repeat orders). F4 will be ready for 2023/2034. After that a F5 will be on study. The way is paved up to F6.

Don't ask me the content of F5 or F6 : I don't know.

Maybe : conformal tanks, more powerfull and fuel saving engine, conformal arays (maybe in the F4.2 ???), air to ground weapons in stealthy cocoon, full aperture optronic system, laser in offensive and defensiv role, ....
I dont know man but this deal too is going M2000 way. It will be a shame though if it happens again coz IAF loves M2000 despite its high cost and lower number. They rely on those be it Kargil war or going inside PaiXtan last year
 
I dont know man but this deal too is going M2000 way. It will be a shame though if it happens again coz IAF loves M2000 despite its high cost and lower number. They rely on those be it Kargil war or going inside PaiXtan last year
I doubt Indian top brass to do the same error twice.
It's not without reason 2 air bases had been accomodated to Rafale. The main french Rafale air base hosts 45+ birds...
It's not without reason India accept to pay for fine adaptation (it was so easy and less expensive to take the french spec Rafale like it is).

So it's just a question of time, and to choose between another 'small' batch to be produced in France or a 'larger' one to be assemble and partially produced in India.
 

@Bon Plan
If successful, this deal will prove that Rafale and French were the right choice by IAF and will be for the IN too.

Buying anything else will be a repeat of Mig 29 saga once again in terms of logistics and weapon choices. We should convince the French to bring down the cost and order few more of the F4 version.

Other than Our own platforms like LCA MK2/AMCA or TED-BF , Rafale seems the only logical choice as an interim Naval Fighter too.
US is trying to sabotage this deal
 

First separation tests of Safran’s 1,000-kg AASM “Hammer” air-to-ground weapon on Rafale a success

11/12/2020 AASM Hammer, Rafale, Safran

Paris, France, December 11, 2020 – The new 1,000-kilogram version of the AASM “Hammer”* air-to-ground modular weapon, designed and produced by Safran Electronics & Defense, successfully completed its first two inert separation tests from a Rafale omnirole fighter. The tests were conducted at the French defense procurement agency DGA’s Cazaux flight test center in southwest France.

Safran-AASM1000.jpg


The separation dynamics observed during the two firings were in line with simulations. These industrial validation tests were designed to check the correct sequencing of all components of the wing hardpoint and the weapon, as well as the wing deployment mechanism on the range extension kit. Following these successful separation tests, the first live firing tests will be conducted in 2021 as part of the final development and qualification of the 1,000-kg AASM.

The 1,000-kg AASM features a guidance kit derived from the 250-kg version and a specific range extension kit. The 1,000-kg AASM has the same modular characteristics as the 250-kg version with the BLU109 penetrating bomb body and MK84 conventional body, as well as its close functional integration with the Rafale, especially for fire control system and configuration options.

This new weapon will give the Rafale an enhanced strike capability, with payload configurations of up to three 1,000-kg AASMs per aircraft. Its standoff range is also extended, thanks to the integrated propulsion system.

Developed and produced by Safran Electronics & Defense based on existing bombs from 250 kg to 1,000 kg, the AASM Hammer family is the air-to-ground weapon of choice for the Rafale. The 1,000-kg version rounds out the AASM range. Qualification is planned for 2022, leading to service entry on the new Rafale F4 standard.

*Armement Air-Sol Modulaire – Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range
 
If Dassault offers Rafale at a discounted price, it may get more number of jets ordered from India. I feel like Rafale is more costly and price is the only issue stopping GoI for ordering more jets. Don't understand the strategy of Dassault in this regard
Before the first export sale it was said that Rafale was not a potent jet. It's definitively over.
Now remains this rumors about price... See the sales price of SH18 to Australia (a close ally...) or F16 price to Bulgaria !
=> Another US fake news.
 
If Dassault offers Rafale at a discounted price, it may get more number of jets ordered from India. I feel like Rafale is more costly and price is the only issue stopping GoI for ordering more jets. Don't understand the strategy of Dassault in this regard

It is cheap considering the capability it provides. Price isn't the issue, funding is. Price can be managed based on the funds available.

First separation tests of Safran’s 1,000-kg AASM “Hammer” air-to-ground weapon on Rafale a success

11/12/2020 AASM Hammer, Rafale, Safran

Paris, France, December 11, 2020 – The new 1,000-kilogram version of the AASM “Hammer”* air-to-ground modular weapon, designed and produced by Safran Electronics & Defense, successfully completed its first two inert separation tests from a Rafale omnirole fighter. The tests were conducted at the French defense procurement agency DGA’s Cazaux flight test center in southwest France.

Safran-AASM1000.jpg


The separation dynamics observed during the two firings were in line with simulations. These industrial validation tests were designed to check the correct sequencing of all components of the wing hardpoint and the weapon, as well as the wing deployment mechanism on the range extension kit. Following these successful separation tests, the first live firing tests will be conducted in 2021 as part of the final development and qualification of the 1,000-kg AASM.

The 1,000-kg AASM features a guidance kit derived from the 250-kg version and a specific range extension kit. The 1,000-kg AASM has the same modular characteristics as the 250-kg version with the BLU109 penetrating bomb body and MK84 conventional body, as well as its close functional integration with the Rafale, especially for fire control system and configuration options.

This new weapon will give the Rafale an enhanced strike capability, with payload configurations of up to three 1,000-kg AASMs per aircraft. Its standoff range is also extended, thanks to the integrated propulsion system.

Developed and produced by Safran Electronics & Defense based on existing bombs from 250 kg to 1,000 kg, the AASM Hammer family is the air-to-ground weapon of choice for the Rafale. The 1,000-kg version rounds out the AASM range. Qualification is planned for 2022, leading to service entry on the new Rafale F4 standard.

*Armement Air-Sol Modulaire – Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range

Is the range public?
 
It is cheap considering the capability it provides. Price isn't the issue, funding is. Price can be managed based on the funds available.


Is the range public?
After Chinese invasion at ladakh, and after their fresh settlement near chicken, after their increased collaboration with PAF goi if stil reluctant to provide adequate funds for mmrca2 or fresh rafale purchase, there is seriously something happened to our thinking processes.
 
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