I'd say the Rafale isn't a free ticket. It's a very pricy platform and the loss of even a few would be very significant. Can we really expect the IAF to send them for a border fight at the LoC? I think their job will be to prevent an even worse scenario, like the PAF trying to knock out high value targets? Or a bigger attack role, like trying to deny the PAF its own airspace?
Makes one wonder... How about setting up a unit of 24 Typhoon T3s to specifically match up to any Rafale force? Between now and Azm, I imagine the dream would be to fit the F-16s with AESA and get 18~24 T3s... Get a solid 100 tier one long-range jets to be the edge of a sledgehammer of 150+ JF-17 fleet (ideally all with AESA)