3 Rafale fighters with Indian enhancements to arrive on February
The stage is set for Indian Air Force (IAF) to receive last four Rafale fighters from France from February with all of them fully equipped with India specific enhancements_ which will give extra teeth to fight any regional adversary.
It is understood that three Rafale fighters are expected to leave Istres-Le Tube air base_ north-west of Marseille in south France_ around February 1-2 depending on the weather conditions and arrive in India after due mid-air refueling by close ally_ the United Arab Emirates Air Force_ using Airbus multi-role transport tankers.
While the last fighter is nearly ready with fresh paint and enhancements_ the fighter for reasons best known to IAF will arrive only in April_ 2022. The last of the 36 contracted fighters from France is actually the first fighter used for training IAF personnel after the deliveries started from France. This fighter was inspected by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at the Istres air base during his visit to France for a high level defence dialogue in December 2021.
Although IAF remains tight-lipped over what India specific enhancements are on Rafale_ it is learnt that these relate to 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.
On 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 manufacturers claims as per agreement. After this_ work will begin in retrofitting the remaining 32 aircraft at Ambala in western sector and Hashimara air base in eastern sector with the India specific enhancements with all the related equipment already with the IAF. The upgradation exercise will be carried out at Ambala air base which has the maintenance cum repair set up for Rafale fighters in India.
In light of the Indian acquisition of Rafale_ the Pakistani air force has decided to go for 25 Chinese made J-10 multi-role fighters as a counter and PLA Air Force has deployed the J-20_ so called fifth generation fighter_ at Hotan_ Lhasa_ Kashgar and Nyingchi air bases in Tibet and Sinkiang.
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