India’s Acquisition of Rafale Marine Fighter Jets – India’s Strategic Expansion

PWOnlyIAS November 03, 2023 04:53 1588 0

Context: India has initiated the formal process to acquire 26 Rafale Marine (M) fighter jets and associated equipment from France.

India’s Acquisition of Rafale Marine Fighter Jets – India’s Strategic Expansion

Rafale Marine: A Robust Carrier-Based Fighter Jet for India’s Naval Operations

Background: The twin-engine Rafale M has been specifically designed to operate from 40,000-tonne class aircraft carriers.
Airframe: The Rafale M has an exceptionally strong airframe and undercarriage for aircraft carrier operations.

Rafale

Composition: it is made of advanced composite materials and corrosion-resistant alloys, its components offer the highest protection against rust, and the aircraft performance isn’t compromised in severe tropical environments.
Resilient: Landing on an aircraft carrier deck is a traumatic event for an aircraft as it is not cushioned and there is a lot of stress on the airframe, fuselage, engines and avionics.
Weaponry: It includes Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, Mica multi-mission air-to-air missiles and Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles.
- It allows fighter pilots to attack air and ground targets from standoff ranges.
Anti-ship strike mechanism: The Rafale M will additionally be equipped with the AM39 Exocet missile for anti-ship strikes.
Payload: The Rafale M can carry up to 9.5 tonnes of weapons, fuel tanks and pods on 13 external hardpoints (14 for the air force variant), and is capable of low-level, high-speed penetrations to evade enemy radar.
Safety Mechanism: According to Dassault Aviation, which manufactures Rafale, several refinements help the pilot trap (arrested landing of the aircraft) on board a carrier in safety, including a dedicated approach symbology in head-up display and an innovative and precise power management system.
Compatibility: India’s aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s so far and need the Rafales for operations..
Other Features:
- Short Takeoff Capability: A “jump strut” nosewheel, which only extends during short takeoffs, including catapult launches.
- Ladder: A built-in ladder for accessing the cockpit from the carrier deck.
- Landing System: A carrier-based microwave landing system.
- Navigation System: A new fin-tip Telemir system for syncing the inertial navigation system to external equipment.
- Heavier: The Rafale M is also slightly heavier than the Rafale due to the additional weight of the modifications.

Rafale-M’s Selection: Factors, Superiority, and Cost Considerations Over F/A-18 Super Hornet

Relatively Superior: The Rafale M edged out the American F/A-18 Super Hornet.
- USA F/A-18 Super Hornet: The F/A-18 would have given the Indian Navy interoperability with the US Navy, but logistically it would have been a costly affair.
- The commonality of the fleet and the resultant savings on training, repairs, and maintenance have tipped the scale in favour of Rafale Marine.
Stress Landing: Landing on an aircraft carrier deck is a traumatic event for an aircraft as it is not cushioned and there is a lot of stress on the airframe, fuselage, engines and avionics.
- Rafale M is equipped with a harsh landing environment.

Comparing Rafale-M and Rafale: Differences in Features and Missions

Feature	Rafale M	Rafale
Airframe	Strengthened for carrier landings	Standard Airframe
Wing	Foldable	Non-Foldable
Tailhook	Yes	No
Radar	Maritime-optimised	Standard Radar
Weapons	Wider range of weapons, including anti-ship missiles	Standard range of weapons
Mission	Carrier operations	Air superiority, ground attack, air-to-air refuelling.

Distinguishing Features of Rafale-M for Enhanced Naval Operations

Radar System: A different radar system, the Thales RBE2-M, which is optimised for maritime operations.
Warfare Suite: A different electronic warfare suite, the Thales SPECTRA, which is also optimised for maritime operations.
Diverse payloads: The ability to carry a wider range of weapons, including anti-ship missiles and air-to-surface missiles.
Short Takeoff Capability: A “jump strut” nosewheel, which only extends during short takeoffs, including catapult launches.
Ladder: A built-in ladder for accessing the cockpit from the carrier deck.
Landing System: A carrier-based microwave landing system.
Navigation System: A new fin-tip Telemir system for syncing the inertial navigation system to external equipment.
Heavier: The Rafale M is also slightly heavier than the Rafale due to the additional weight of the modifications.

Distinguishing Features of Naval Fighter Jets Versus Air Fighter Jets

Launch and Recovery Operations
- Naval fighter jets are uniquely designed for the high-impact landings, catapult or ramp launches, and corrosive saltwater environments.
- To facilitate storage and manoeuvring on aircraft carriers, they include reinforced landing gear, stronger airframes, and foldable wings. .
Folding Wings
- Many naval fighter jets have foldable wings to conserve space on crowded aircraft carrier decks.
Size and Range
- Smaller and Lightweight: Naval fighter planes are generally smaller and lighter than their Air Force equivalents due to the limited area of an aircraft carrier deck.
Avionics and Sensors
- Upgraded Version: Additional systems and technology are integrated into naval fighter jets to improve maritime operations.
- Special Radar System: These could include radar systems designed specifically for identifying and monitoring naval targets like ships and submarines.
- Special Navigation System: They may also have better navigation systems for over-the-water operations as well as specific communication devices to coordinate with naval forces.
Corrosion and Resistance
- Harsh Environment: Naval fighter jets are designed to operate in the harsh, salty environment.
- Corrosion-Resistance: This frequently entails utilising corrosion-resistant materials and coatings than those used in air force jets

India’s Diverse Aircraft Fleet: LCA, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, TEDBF, and Rafale

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA):	Role of LCA in AirForce: LCA falls in the lower tier of the evolving conventional force structure of the IAF Replacement: Designed to replace ageing Mig 21 fighter planes Developer and Manufacturer: Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Department of Defence Research and Development. Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Additional Features: Lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class. Refuelling: Air-to-air refuelling capability, maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg, maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and Range of 3000 km.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI:	Features: Twin-engine, two-seat, multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under licence by India’s HAL for the IAF. Deployment: Entered service with the IAF in 2002 and has been deployed in several conflicts and exercises
Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF):	Background: Manufactured for the Navy to replace the Navy’s MiG-29K. Engine Type: First twin-engine aircraft project in India for dedicated carrier-based operations. Speed: Maximum mach number of 1.6, service ceiling of 60,000 feet, maximum takeoff weight of 26 tons, unfolded wing.
Rafale:	Background: French twin-engine and multirole fighter aircraft. Procurement: India procured 36 Rafale jets for Rs 59,000 crore in 2016. Features: Equipped to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence missions. Modern Systems: The weapons package of Rafale jets includes Meteor missile, Scalp cruise missile, and MICA missile system.

The Role and Composition of India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Background: The DAC is the highest decision-making body of the Defence Ministry on procurement.
Formation: It was formed after the Group of Minister’s recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post-Kargil War (1999).
Composition:
- The Defence minister is the chairman of DAC.
- Its members include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Empowering India’s Defence Sector: Understanding the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020

Introduction:
- Defence Self-Reliance: The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has been established in 2020 as a potential catalyst for the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, in the sector of defence manufacturing.
- Friendly Process: The DAP eases the procurement and acquisition of upgraded technology, products and services for the Tri-Services and other allied defence services.
- Boost to Local Industry: Through its many improved features, it hopes to provide a boost to the Make in India efforts in the field– especially to MSME’s.
- Increase Accountability: It also establishes a greater degree of public accountability, transparency, fair competition and a level playing field in the sector.
Key Features:
- Reservation in Categories for Indian vendors: With FDI in defence manufacturing permitted up to 100% (up to 74% under Automatic route and beyond 74% under Government route), there is an opportunity for the domestic industry to increase production in the sector.
- Enhancement of Indigenous Content:

Category	DPP 2016	DAP 2020
Buy (India -IIDM)	Min 40%	Min 50%
Buy (India)	Min 40%	Indigenous design- Min 50% Otherwise – Min 60%
Buy and Make (India)	Min 50% of Make	Min 50% of Make
Buy (Global – Manufacturer in India)	Category did not exist	Min 50% of Buy plus Make
Buy (Global)	Category did not exist	Min 30% for Indian vendors

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, The Rafale Marine version has features like Strengthened carrier landings, Foldable wings, Maritime-optimised, Wider range of weapons, including anti-ship missiles and improved Carrier operations

The acceptance of necessity to acquisition proposals is granted by the Defence Acquisition Council after which the Defence Ministry initiates the procurement process.

The Defence minister is the chairman of DAC. Its members include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has been established in 2020 as a potential catalyst for the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, in the sector of defence manufacturing.

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India’s Acquisition of Rafale Marine Fighter Jets – India’s Strategic Expansion

Rafale Marine: A Robust Carrier-Based Fighter Jet for India’s Naval Operations

Rafale-M’s Selection: Factors, Superiority, and Cost Considerations Over F/A-18 Super Hornet

Comparing Rafale-M and Rafale: Differences in Features and Missions

Distinguishing Features of Rafale-M for Enhanced Naval Operations

Distinguishing Features of Naval Fighter Jets Versus Air Fighter Jets

India’s Diverse Aircraft Fleet: LCA, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, TEDBF, and Rafale

The Role and Composition of India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Empowering India’s Defence Sector: Understanding the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Naval version of Rafale different from the previously inducted Rafale jets in India?

Who approves the defence procurements in India?

What is the composition of the Defence Acquisition Council?

What is the purpose of Defence Acquisition Procedure?

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