The Rafale Fighter Jet Chosen by the Indian Air Force

[Senior Researcher Taekyung Jeong, Aviation Guidance Research Team 1, Defense Technology Quality Institute] The Indian Air Force (IAF) officially inducted the first batch of five Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, ordered at a cost of 7.9 billion euros (9.35 billion USD) at the end of 2016.

Five twin-engine fighters (three single-seat and two two-seat) departing from France arrived in India on July 29. The fighters were assigned to the Indian Air Force's 17th Golden Arrow Squadron at Ambala Air Force Base in northern India during a ceremony held on September 10. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defense Minister Florence Parly attended the event.

An additional four Rafale fighters are expected to arrive at Ambala Air Force Base in October, and the remaining nine fighters needed to complete the squadron’s total of 18 aircraft are scheduled for delivery by mid-2021, according to sources.

Subsequently, deliveries will begin for the second Rafale squadron, which will be stationed at Hasimara Air Force Base near the border region where India is in dispute with China. This squadron will also consist of 18 fighters, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

"The induction of Rafale fighters comes at a critical time as tensions are escalating along our border areas," said Defense Minister Singh, referring to the military tensions rising with China along the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) in the Himalayan region.

The Rafale fighters, expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force, are the first imported fighters inducted into the IAF since the acquisition of the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters in 1997.

Meanwhile, according to a senior Indian Air Force official, there is a possibility of fulfilling the requirement for 114 medium multirole fighters by acquiring license-produced Rafale fighters under the Indian government’s 'Make in India' policy. The official stated that since the Indian Air Force has already established infrastructure to support the Rafale and paid for the development of India-specific enhancements for the aircraft, this move would also make economic sense.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.