India to base first squadron of Rafale fighter jets in Bengal

[Skull and Bones]

@BD_patriot to counter Rafales? Ind stationed them to counter China.. not BD.

Wait it out, and have fun watching Bangladeshi response.

 

[BHarwana]

Induct something that can even remotely take on the SU 30's, and Rafale will greet you at the western border. Besides, we have got you covered wIth our SAM's and missiles for the so called approaching Pakistan. Rafale would be an overkill..

Actually it is difficult to take out SU than Rafale but any how it all matters on who is sitting inside the jet and that is what makes a big difference, a key area where India lacks a lot.

This is why India needs a blanket ban on newspapers getting access to info related to defence. Every babu seeking his 5 seconds of fame will blurt out anything making intel gathering easier, rather than forcing opposition to rely on ELINT & HUMINT.

Totally agreed. this post was quite helpful.

 

[Chanakyaa]

Actually it is difficult to take out SU than Rafale but any how it all matters on who is sitting inside the jet and that is what makes a big difference, a key area where India lacks a lot.

Wrong. Reasons :

1. Spectra
2. RCS
3. AESA
4. Meteor

Induct something that can even remotely take on the SU 30's, and Rafale will greet you at the western border. Besides, we have got you covered wIth our SAM's and missiles for the so called approaching Pakistan. Rafale would be an overkill..

You just 'owned' him !

 

[anant_s]

@GR!FF!N
About your comment above, whats your understanding, Rafale is being put as replacement of MiG 27 or counter to newer Chinese fighters (J-10 specifically)?
I'm trying to link this thing with role planners are (or might be) thinking for Rafale in future. On eastern side, we don't envisage tank or heavy artillery battles in same manner as on Western. So placing Rafale on East looks primarily to counter Air threat and here numerical parity maintenance will come into picture at some time. this therefore points that more Rafale are in offing (i mean beyond 36 contracted + 18 reservation of rights).
Also any idea right now on primary weapon package for Rafale?
Thanks!

@Taygibay @Vergennes

 

[GR!FF!N]

@GR!FF!N
About your comment above, whats your understanding, Rafale is being put as replacement of MiG 27 or counter to newer Chinese fighters (J-10 specifically)?
I'm trying to link this thing with role planners are (or might be) thinking for Rafale in future. On eastern side, we don't envisage tank or heavy artillery battles in same manner as on Western. So placing Rafale on East looks primarily to counter Air threat and here numerical parity maintenance will come into picture at some time. this therefore points that more Rafale are in offing (i mean beyond 36 contracted + 18 reservation of rights).
Also any idea right now on primary weapon package for Rafale?
Thanks!

@Taygibay @Vergennes

As per Air Force,Rafale's main role will be Ground Attack,the role that was dedicated to Mig-27 previously and Rafale is replacing them.But Rafale is an Omnirole fighter jet,that means it'll be carrying A2A Missiles as well and will be better than almost anything our adversaries offer.But If you think it is the front line against J-10,You're wrong.IAF already placed SU-30 MKIs in Chabua and Tezpur along with Kalaikunda,which will take care any imminent air threat

 

[帅的一匹]

Few Rafale just for showcase, can't do any favor against China.

 

[anant_s]

Ground Attack

This point actually is confusing. Historically Himalayas have provided a sort of natural cover against any massive artillery attack (or tank battles) and therefore use of A2G capability might be limited on East of Sikkim (if we take Chinese threat into account). Now if we also consider induction of Rudra and Apache, which have dedicated anti artillery role.
MKI has long legs but placing 1-2 squadrons of Rafale in that sector points to something else. With concentration of such massive air power in east, means India might be looking to re-adjust its current fleet distribution.
& it would make it interesting to see, how Western allocation of resources pan out.

 

[GR!FF!N]

This point actually is confusing. Historically Himalayas have provided a sort of natural cover against any massive artillery attack (or tank battles) and therefore use of A2G capability might be limited on East of Sikkim (if we take Chinese threat into account). Now if we also consider induction of Rudra and Apache, which have dedicated anti artillery role.
MKI has long legs but placing 1-2 squadrons of Rafale in that sector points to something else. With concentration of such massive air power in east, means India might be looking to re-adjust its current fleet distribution.
& it would make it interesting to see, how Western allocation of resources pan out.

But what you've missed is SU-30 is a long legged fighter.Recently,in one Wargame,SU-30 from Chabua/Tezpur mounted attack on Indo-Pak border.So,distribution of these assets might not matter that much now.In fact,Rafale itself has quite impressive Combat radius and we've refuellers as well.

 

[zambino]

Yesterday visited chabua town and watched many mki sorties and Il76 mki and An32 too. Hope hashimara will soon get rafale and I get to see it.

 

[Hamza913]

What better option?

The US offered F-16's and F-18's (they are still offering in fact), and unlike France they weren't trying to rip you off with outrageous prices.

 

[gslv]

Its not against China , its against Bangladesh.

 

[JOEY TRIBIANI]

these indians were asking Bangladeshis that why they need submarines ? Who is their potential enemy?
While on the other hand indian them self announce that they will deploy their planes near bengal . #hypocrites

 

[hitenray09]

Guys..you are forgetting Kalaikunda Air base is important for building air battle tactics...any new aircraft bought by India...is labored here to develop air tactics....so its natural to base Rafale 1st squadron here..all else is just anti - china/ Fearing PAF is bull$hit of fanboys..

 

[Papa Dragon]

The US offered F-16's and F-18's (they are still offering in fact), and unlike France they weren't trying to rip you off with outrageous prices.

After seeing Pakistan's experience with the US, it is always better to go with the French for a western fighter or go with the Russians. US is well known for using countries for it's own geo-political interests and may ditch anytime they're done with it. What if US stops supplying spares or new fighter jets when things aren't as good as they are now.

 

[Taygibay]

@GR!FF!N
About your comment above, whats your understanding, Rafale is being put as replacement of MiG 27 or counter to newer Chinese fighters (J-10 specifically)?
I'm trying to link this thing with role planners are (or might be) thinking for Rafale in future. On eastern side, we don't envisage tank or heavy artillery battles in same manner as on Western. So placing Rafale on East looks primarily to counter Air threat and here numerical parity maintenance will come into picture at some time. this therefore points that more Rafale are in offing (i mean beyond 36 contracted + 18 reservation of rights).
Also any idea right now on primary weapon package for Rafale?
Thanks!

@Taygibay @Vergennes

All the reasons given before and including Hitenray's above
are valid ... that is the beauty of owning an omnirole fighter.
You cannot deduce the use of the Rafale from its location
unless you deduct some of its capabilities. The only one that
comes to mind is the nuclear element which Indian Raffys will
not have, at least not for a while.

Which brings us to weapons.
I have not had a for public class item yet and it's likely we won't
get one until after the offsets are finalized and announced.
AASM and Israëli products are question marks, esp. HMCS as
you well know and Meteor a given. The scope of the development
part of the deal points out to a couple existing IAF weapons being
integrated IMHoO.

And don't try to make sense of the 36 ( 54 ) number; it doesn't!

Why Rafale when there were so much better options.

The US offered F-16's and F-18's (they are still offering in fact), and unlike France they weren't trying to rip you off with outrageous prices.

Ah, a discussion by pros based on factual knowledge ...

F-16 and F-18 were found inferior to Rafale by the IAF in
the MMRCA evaluation.
A recent exercise of the best the West has to offer gathered
Typhoons, Raptors and Raffys, even though Falcons and SHornets were available?
A Rafale beats a SHornet or an MKI on load while smaller
than the former and much smaller than the latter thereby
obtaining RCS [ S as in size? ] reduction physically before
even mentioning RAM, shape or Spectra?
The only suppa Super Hornet that has added value is the
Growler and America ain't offerin' those at the convenience store.

I understand that few people on fora are bothered by facts
( nor is DJT ) but underestimating an opponent because bias
clouded your judgement is a wrong way to defend Pakistan.


Or any nation one hails from, Tay.