RAFALE AIRCRAFT

RAFALE AIRCRAFT

Subject : Defence

Context : India will receive another 8 to 9 Rafale jets from France by mid-May, with some expected later this month, completing the first squadron of the fighters in the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to a defence official.

Concept :

• With the inductions this month set to complete the first squadron, which currently has 14 jets, the IAF is all set to operationalise the second Rafale squadron at Hasimara in West Bengal later this month.
• Last September, the IAF inducted the batch of five Rafales, of the 36 contracted from France under a €7.87 billion Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in September 2016 with 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE).
• The first batch of five jets, three single-seat and two twin-seater trainers, were formally inducted into the No. 17 ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron of the IAF last September at the Ambala Air Force station.
• The second batch of three Rafales arrived in India last November. The third batch of three Rafales arrived in India in January. The fourth batch of three jets arrived on March 31.

Rafale Fighter Jets

• These are twin-engine medium multi-role combat aircraft.
• Rafale jets are developed by the French company Dassault Aviation and they can carry out interceptions during the same flight.
• Aircraft is fitted with an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS) and that is why; it does not require liquid oxygen re-filling or ground support for oxygen production.
• The aircraft are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, SCALP cruise missiles and MICA weapons system will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.