With narrow political interests guiding the discourse on the subject, by both political parties and many ‘analysts’, the true picture has got lost. And deliberate misinformation is being peddled.
VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Rafale Deal: Comprehensive data analysis of the cost proves that India has got a far better deal compared to 2007- Rohit Vats
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
French Navy Chief to visit India amid Rafale row
https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 852_1.html
https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 852_1.html
Amid an ongoing controversy on the Rafale deal, French Navy Chief Vice Admiral Christophe Prazuck would be in India on a three-day visit to discuss ways to further strengthen military ties between the two countries. The visit, scheduled from January 7th to January 9th, is taking place when the Indian Navy is looking forward to buying 57 multirole fighter planes for operations from the aircraft carrier, while Rafale being one of the contenders along with Boeing of America and Saab Gripen of Sweden. "Vice Admiral Christophe Prazuck, Chief of the Naval Staff, French Navy would be in India and hold meetings with his naval counterpart Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba," Indian Navy officials said. The French Navy operates the Rafale plane from its aircraft carrier. They had used them for conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan, Libya and other conflict zones. The French government has asked India to acquire additional Rafale combat aircraft for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy along with the 36 planes that will start arriving in the country by the year 2020.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
excellent analysis by rohit, as usual.Austin wrote:Rafale Deal: Comprehensive data analysis of the cost proves that India has got a far better deal compared to 2007- Rohit Vats
With narrow political interests guiding the discourse on the subject, by both political parties and many ‘analysts’, the true picture has got lost. And deliberate misinformation is being peddled.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Time is too short for any decision before the elections, esp. with the anti- Raffy lobby. The moot point though is the priorities of the IN.MCM vessels are zilch, inviting the simplest of assymetric warfare tactics by our endmies- mining our ports and bases, and our sub fleet requires urgent additions not to mention the 120+ ASW helos ..We've taken so long to build IAC-1 (13 yrs) that even if started tomorrow, 65K t IAC-2 would arrive only after 2030! By then far superior naval stealth birds from both east and west along with UCAVs would bd operational.Ultra- expensive Rafale- Ms woild be obsolete.
The 47 or so 29Ks are enough to field on thd two carriers VikA and Vikrant-2 for now.We're told that due to lift sizes the Raffy can't operate from them.BMos equipped Super Sukhois would be far more useful if based on land than Rafales , if that is the intention.Acquiring a few more for reserves easy esp. as the IN/ CNS are reporting smooth opserations now of 29Ks.Acquiring at least 8 Backfires would be far deadlier than a sqd. of Rafales.The new upgraded Backfires now being delivered to Ru will enable us to take thd fight to the enemy in his own backyard the Indo- China Sea.
The 47 or so 29Ks are enough to field on thd two carriers VikA and Vikrant-2 for now.We're told that due to lift sizes the Raffy can't operate from them.BMos equipped Super Sukhois would be far more useful if based on land than Rafales , if that is the intention.Acquiring a few more for reserves easy esp. as the IN/ CNS are reporting smooth opserations now of 29Ks.Acquiring at least 8 Backfires would be far deadlier than a sqd. of Rafales.The new upgraded Backfires now being delivered to Ru will enable us to take thd fight to the enemy in his own backyard the Indo- China Sea.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
X-Post from the International Aerospace Discussion thread.
France orders upgraded Rafale warplanes for $2.3 billion
https://www.defensenews.com/global/euro ... alflow+DFN
^^^^ 28 Rafale F4 (not full functionality though) variants being delivered for $2.3 billion. These are new build aircraft and not software/hardware updates on existing aircraft. These 28 new build Rafales work out to $82+ million per aircraft. Another 30 aircraft will be ordered in 2023 and will be at full functionality in the F4 standard. Full functionality will obviously be more expensive.
But the point to note is this. Infrastructure already exists and there is no need for additional expenditures to operate these birds. It is for this reason, that a follow on order for the Rafale will be significantly cheaper for India. However please note that the price that Dassault sells Rafales to the French Air Force will not be the same as they sell to other nations. But still, it will be cheaper.
#MoreRafalesforIAF
France orders upgraded Rafale warplanes for $2.3 billion
https://www.defensenews.com/global/euro ... alflow+DFN
^^^^ 28 Rafale F4 (not full functionality though) variants being delivered for $2.3 billion. These are new build aircraft and not software/hardware updates on existing aircraft. These 28 new build Rafales work out to $82+ million per aircraft. Another 30 aircraft will be ordered in 2023 and will be at full functionality in the F4 standard. Full functionality will obviously be more expensive.
But the point to note is this. Infrastructure already exists and there is no need for additional expenditures to operate these birds. It is for this reason, that a follow on order for the Rafale will be significantly cheaper for India. However please note that the price that Dassault sells Rafales to the French Air Force will not be the same as they sell to other nations. But still, it will be cheaper.
#MoreRafalesforIAF
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Well this livefist article is old, but it does state that current IAF rafales will be upgraded to F4 std as it when "arrives"...probably already included in the contractual agreement to upgrade 36 Rafales from F3R to F4.
https://www.livefistdefence.com/2017/07/14696.html
https://www.livefistdefence.com/2017/07/14696.html
The improvements under the proposed F4 standard, for instance, which was announced in March and is currently under discussion, will transfer to the IAF’s fleet when ready. Sources told Livefist that the F4 standard will focus not just on tweaks based on the Rafale’s combat experience in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, but also the first full effort to shorten and further simplify the time required to churn out a full-ops Rafale pilot. The IAF will be able to draw on any and all improvements made to the Rafale system.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
CAG refuses to share Rafale audit; cites breach of Parliament
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 4ii0L.html
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 4ii0L.html
Last month, the Supreme Court had dismissed pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets, saying there was no occasion to “really doubt the decision making process” warranting setting aside of the contract.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Wrong!!Rakesh wrote:X-Post from the International Aerospace Discussion thread.
France orders upgraded Rafale warplanes for $2.3 billion
https://www.defensenews.com/global/euro ... alflow+DFN
^^^^ 28 Rafale F4 (not full functionality though) variants being delivered for $2.3 billion. These are new build aircraft and not software/hardware updates on existing aircraft. These 28 new build Rafales work out to $82+ million per aircraft. Another 30 aircraft will be ordered in 2023 and will be at full functionality in the F4 standard. Full functionality will obviously be more expensive.
But the point to note is this. Infrastructure already exists and there is no need for additional expenditures to operate these birds. It is for this reason, that a follow on order for the Rafale will be significantly cheaper for India. However please note that the price that Dassault sells Rafales to the French Air Force will not be the same as they sell to other nations. But still, it will be cheaper.
#MoreRafalesforIAF
France is paying $2.3 billion just to fund development of the Rafale F4 variant
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Already posted in the International Aerospace Thread
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Hindu today, front page report by N.Ram alleges that the decision to buy 36 Raffys increased the unit cost by 41%.
Inside pages give alleged facts, etc.Someone kindly post thd link/ relevant key points.Don't shoot the towncrier!
Inside pages give alleged facts, etc.Someone kindly post thd link/ relevant key points.Don't shoot the towncrier!
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
^^dfi yusuf posted the article and mentioned that one interesting point in the new deal was no follow up clause or clause for no follow up
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
I have failed to find any official word on existence of Options clause or otherwise. News reports are contradictory. You will find many on both sides.ArjunPandit wrote:^^dfi yusuf posted the article and mentioned that one interesting point in the new deal was no follow up clause or clause for no follow up
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
read manu pubby and iyerwal on this topic.Philip wrote:Hindu today, front page report by N.Ram alleges that the decision to buy 36 Raffys increased the unit cost by 41%.
Inside pages give alleged facts, etc.Someone kindly post thd link/ relevant key points.Don't shoot the towncrier!
saar,
go here and see
https://twitter.com/Iyervval/status/1086142417055764483
someone has shamelessly lifted the entire "original" article from what these two have already written and that too, without any attribution and then added on their own ridiculous inferences and conclusions which are pure and bigoted fantasy.
if you copy from one its called "plagiarism" but if you copy from more than one, its called "original" research.
BTW, our own Rohit Vats has also written a very lucid article on the rafale deal.
I think it was quoted and linked a few pages ago.
also,
N Ram of The Hindu blatantly picks up the work of another journalist on Rafale to brand it an “exclusive”
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
The Ministry of Defence has already issued a rebuttal to that lifafa piece....
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
VIDEO
No, N. Ram, you are wrong on Rafale: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra's rebuttal to The Hindu
https://www.mynation.com/news/no-n-ram- ... ndu-plj42m
No, N. Ram, you are wrong on Rafale: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra's rebuttal to The Hindu
https://www.mynation.com/news/no-n-ram- ... ndu-plj42m
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Rafale - Nature of the India Specific Enhancements (ISEs)
The 12 list of Enhancement listed in blog by Vijainder K Thakur makes me believe these Rafale purchase are primarily for Special Delivery Vehicle
The 12 list of Enhancement listed in blog by Vijainder K Thakur makes me believe these Rafale purchase are primarily for Special Delivery Vehicle
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
More powerful engine
>> really? I thought there was no further upg planned to the current M88-3 engine ?
Radar enhancements
>> classified i suppose
Helmet mounted display
>> news to me the french AF does not use thales HMS?
Towed decoy system
Radar warning receiver
Low band jammer
SATCOM
Radio altimeter (CFIT avoidance?)
>> all of this should already be in rafale and spectra will continue to use sw upgrades
Ability to start and operate from High Altitude Airfields
10-hr flight data recorder
>> nothing big
Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST)
>> the OSF was already there but deleted on some rafales to save cost. due to lack on continued funds may not be as good as american IRST anymore. the thales "pirate" IRST for EF also seems not to be so favoured anymore.
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)
>> should be std in all rafales?
>> really? I thought there was no further upg planned to the current M88-3 engine ?
Radar enhancements
>> classified i suppose
Helmet mounted display
>> news to me the french AF does not use thales HMS?
Towed decoy system
Radar warning receiver
Low band jammer
SATCOM
Radio altimeter (CFIT avoidance?)
>> all of this should already be in rafale and spectra will continue to use sw upgrades
Ability to start and operate from High Altitude Airfields
10-hr flight data recorder
>> nothing big
Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST)
>> the OSF was already there but deleted on some rafales to save cost. due to lack on continued funds may not be as good as american IRST anymore. the thales "pirate" IRST for EF also seems not to be so favoured anymore.
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)
>> should be std in all rafales?
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
^^^
Is there an official source with the exact details about the modifications, people are pulling stuff out of the mush. AFAIK the engine change is reportedly related to starting in cold (and high altitude?) weather.
Is there an official source with the exact details about the modifications, people are pulling stuff out of the mush. AFAIK the engine change is reportedly related to starting in cold (and high altitude?) weather.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
I wrote a piece pointing out some glaring error's in The Hindu's report for Newslaundry.
Five claims in The Hindu’s Rafale report that don’t quite add up
https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/01/19/ ... ont-add-up
Five claims in The Hindu’s Rafale report that don’t quite add up
https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/01/19/ ... ont-add-up
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Its difficult to believe anyone these days on Rafale deal. But I do not remember anyone saying higher thrust engine so far. Its likely related to cold start.abhik wrote:^^^
Is there an official source with the exact details about the modifications, people are pulling stuff out of the mush. AFAIK the engine change is reportedly related to starting in cold (and high altitude?) weather.
These kind of changes could be accomplished (relatively) simple FADEC tweaks rather than needing any HW changes. I highly doubt there is any HW change. And any such enhanced thrust mode would have impact of engine life. In fact one can always trade of life for thrust thru FADEC mod.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
You seem to be doing equal equal between Pappu and his slaves' claims and ModiJi & Co's claims. What is it about the latter's claims that you find difficult to believe?JayS wrote:Its difficult to believe anyone these days on Rafale deal. But I do not remember anyone saying higher thrust engine so far. Its likely related to cold start.
I notice that protagonists, for e.g., Ajai Shukla, N.Ram & Co live in an echo chamber. While the defenders like say Abjijit Iyer Mitra, Minhaz Merhcant etc present their arguments as well as refute those of the protagonists.Has Ajai Shukla and Abjijit Iyer Mitra ever debated?
Shah good jobMihir wrote:I wrote a piece pointing out some glaring error's in The Hindu's report for Newslaundry.
Five claims in The Hindu’s Rafale report that don’t quite add up
https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/01/19/ ... ont-add-up
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Add 2 + 2, Rafale base prep money is 2 billion and then some India specific enhancement. I think, not all is still mentioned. Then also recall, our PAL was so open that all major powers knew where the 'maal' was. Perhaps French help is more than acknowledged and Raul baba is doing this drama less for election but more to get that info for his benefactors.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Good job Mihir!Mihir wrote:I wrote a piece pointing out some glaring error's in The Hindu's report for Newslaundry.
Five claims in The Hindu’s Rafale report that don’t quite add up
https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/01/19/ ... ont-add-up
Rohit Vats has also come out with his own (excellent) piece....
Fact-Check: N Ram is lying in his The Hindu article about the Rafale Deal, here’s how
https://www.opindia.com/2019/01/n-ram-i ... heres-how/
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
I've seen one where AIM and Arun Shourie were. AIM got 25% of the talking time and by the end of the debate AS was at a loss of words. For anybody who haven't seen the debate yetCRamS wrote: Has Ajai Shukla and Abjijit Iyer Mitra ever debated?
I've seen one in the early days Shukla was at Vishnu's show and he asked Shukla some return questions which Shukla was unable to answer.
There is a pattern where these debates are not conducted by Defence Journos which should be the case. NDTV and IT has some prominent ones in the business like Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. Infact they are not even called to take part upon the debate. The final words as a 'Defense Expert' is made by Shukla.
It was Vishnu Som who actually tweeted some of the ISEs. He got it from AIMs report that was published (it's a good read). So yes there is a credible source to know some of the ISEs.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
CRamS wrote: You seem to be doing equal equal between Pappu and his slaves' claims and ModiJi & Co's claims. What is it about the latter's claims that you find difficult to believe?
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
I have seen that good debate before, but I am not sure I agree that Arun Shourie was as at a loss of words to AIM's last set of comments including his take on announcing deal Vs actually ratifying and signing deal. He nonchalantly dismissed AIM's arguments. All I could get from that interview is that the deal is extremely complicated, and each side can stick to its guns in a political slugfest. But one thing for sure, there is no smoking gun, except innuendos. And which side you are on depends on ideology. As a die hard BJP and ModiJi supporter, I cannot accept a giant nationalist like him will ever indulge in any criminal misconduct for any personal or other gain (I believe steadfastly that ModiJi did everything in supreme national interest), while ModiJi haters like Arun Shourie will continue to pick plausible holes in a maze of such complexity and will never be convinced, hoping against hope that something will stick and Rafale will be ModiJi's and BJP's Achilles heel in 2019. If there were no 2019 election, this Rafale cacophony will stop in a heartbeat.souravB wrote:I've seen one where AIM and Arun Shourie were. AIM got 25% of the talking time and by the end of the debate AS was at a loss of words. For anybody.CRamS wrote: Has Ajai Shukla and Abjijit Iyer Mitra ever debated?
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
one of the guys in the debate is LYING through his teeth.JayS wrote:CRamS wrote: You seem to be doing equal equal between Pappu and his slaves' claims and ModiJi & Co's claims. What is it about the latter's claims that you find difficult to believe?
It is the very same pappu argument, using lame duck semantics and dubious assertions to buttress nonexistent and slyly manufactured facts in a very goebbelsian fashion to create a scam out of thin air.
the guy is vengeful and spiteful in the extreme.
one wonders what exactly he lost when Modi came to power that was so vitally important to him.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Thanks Rakesh saar! Rohit's piece was superb, and his analysis of the cost escalation clauses top-notch.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Fanne thanks for bringing this up as no one has looked at this angle.fanne wrote:Add 2 + 2, Rafale base prep money is 2 billion and then some India specific enhancement. I think, not all is still mentioned. Then also recall, our PAL was so open that all major powers knew where the 'maal' was. Perhaps French help is more than acknowledged and Raul baba is doing this drama less for election but more to get that info for his benefactors.
The real scandal is the non-deployment of the Rafale or even mirages in the decade of the upa. As long as the mod were going through the motions of testing the competitor aircraft and not deploying anything, India's adversaries were rather blase.
The PRC are desperate that the iaf does not deploy the Rafale in its current form together with with any follow variants, which together with the tejas undergoing induction would enhance the Iaf's combat capability and would act as a deterrent against adventures such as Doklam where young RG and NRAm came out to bat for the prc.
N Ram has form as a propagandist and gun slinger for the chinese and is more that a mere mouthpiece as his activities in the run-up to kargil around April 99 led to the fall of the government
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Apparently, this guy is gaining popularity about liberal crowd for his online "fight" against the RW/BJP/NaMo. His name is Dhruv Rathee. Sitting in Germany, he is making vidoes about pain points issues for liberals against RW/Communal ground. He tries to come across as unbaised by presenting well researched facts but a little research on him makes it clear about his political leanings.
Anyway, here is his video about Rafale (the only video I bothered to watch):
He certainly has good oratory skills, even though the facts are cherry picked to suit his narrative. But the impressive thing is that by making videos in Hindi, his main targets are illiterate & semi-literate folks (& not English speaking urban upper & lower middle class folks), who are either not interested in delving deep to learn there is no scam in Rafale or unable to comprehend the explanation due to inherent complexity involved in the deal. As mentioned in our sister forum, probably one of the angle of opposition is to create doubt about BJP's clean image by making sure that the lies are heard over & over again till it starts sounding like the truth through sheer fatigue.
Anyway, here is his video about Rafale (the only video I bothered to watch):
He certainly has good oratory skills, even though the facts are cherry picked to suit his narrative. But the impressive thing is that by making videos in Hindi, his main targets are illiterate & semi-literate folks (& not English speaking urban upper & lower middle class folks), who are either not interested in delving deep to learn there is no scam in Rafale or unable to comprehend the explanation due to inherent complexity involved in the deal. As mentioned in our sister forum, probably one of the angle of opposition is to create doubt about BJP's clean image by making sure that the lies are heard over & over again till it starts sounding like the truth through sheer fatigue.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
India specific improvement - The question is improvement to what?Singha wrote:More powerful engine
>> really? I thought there was no further upg planned to the current M88-3 engine ?
Radar enhancements
>> classified i suppose
Helmet mounted display
>> news to me the french AF does not use thales HMS?
Towed decoy system
Radar warning receiver
Low band jammer
SATCOM
Radio altimeter (CFIT avoidance?)
>> all of this should already be in rafale and spectra will continue to use sw upgrades
Ability to start and operate from High Altitude Airfields
10-hr flight data recorder
>> nothing big
Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST)
>> the OSF was already there but deleted on some rafales to save cost. due to lack on continued funds may not be as good as american IRST anymore. the thales "pirate" IRST for EF also seems not to be so favoured anymore.
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)
>> should be std in all rafales?
Most people understand it as improvement to the systems (like Radar) that are going on the platform but this is not correct or only partially correct. The improvement is to the Platform by adding non weapon stuff to it as per India's specific needs. These additions would improve general Rafale platform into India specific Rafale. So we need to buy these equipment from different suppliers (in some cases enhanced/customized) for Dassault to integrate it to the platform. Two billion Euro cost is not the cost difference between what France has for these systems and what we would get but the cost of equipment and enhancement.
So France would have France specific modifications/enhancement to Rafale and it will have similar cost that they'll pay.
Three buckets that cost has been classified is -
- Airplane and cost of integration of systems and weapons (Dassult's share)
- Non weapon additions and customization/enhancement (Tier 1 suppliers)
- Weapons (Weapons Suppliers)
Logistics is fourth bucket, but it is separate for all purposes.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
See this video posted by chetak....Zynda wrote:Anyway, here is his video about Rafale (the only video I bothered to watch):
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Raucous on Rafale is senseless
https://www.newsintervention.com/raucou ... senseless/
By Major General Dhruv C. Katoch (retd.) - The writer is Director, India Foundation, Editor SALUTE Magazine and Secretary General of Indian War Veterans Association (IWVA).
https://www.newsintervention.com/raucou ... senseless/
By Major General Dhruv C. Katoch (retd.) - The writer is Director, India Foundation, Editor SALUTE Magazine and Secretary General of Indian War Veterans Association (IWVA).
This needless controversy and continuous criticism of the purchase of Rafale combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation is akin to playing into the hands of vested interest groups that want to jeopardize India’s security.
In addition, the complex nature of a plane, the limitations of technology transfer and the fluid nature of technology with fast obsolescence rates means that, ‘even if technology is given, forget setting up manufacture, even before the technology is mentally absorbed by domestic engineers, it is obsolete’.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Over 50% of Rs 59,000 crore Rafale price already paid amid political slugfest
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 607182.cms
India has already paid more than half of the Rs 59,000 crore owed to France under the contract inked in 2016 for the 36 Rafale fighter jets, which will be delivered between November 2019 and April 2022. The 13 India-specific enhancements or upgrades on the 36 jets will, however, become fully operational only by September-October 2022 as they will require another six months to undergo software certification after all of them have touched down in India. Defence ministry sources say around Rs 34,000 crore has been paid in milestone-linked installments. "Another instalment of Rs 13,000 crore is to be made later this year," said a source. The first 15% installment was paid soon after the agreement was inked in September, 2016. Then, even as IAF positioned project management and advance training teams in France, other installments linked to milestones, like completion of critical design review and documentation, were paid. "The remaining installments are linked to actual deliveries, with the final tranche to be paid in 2022," said the source.
The IAF will get delivery of the first four jets in France in September this year, which will be followed by training of the "main" induction team of around 10 pilots, 10 flight engineers and 40 technicians there. As per the schedule drawn up, these jets will arrive at the Ambala airbase in Haryana in May 2020. As was earlier reported by TOI, the IAF plans to base a squadron of 18 Rafales each at the Ambala and Hasimara (West Bengal) airbases to cater to the two fronts with Pakistan and China. The infrastructure coming up at the two airbases at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, incidentally, can house two Rafale squadrons each. But the original plan of the IAF - down to just 31 fighter squadrons when at least 42 are required to tackle the "collusive threat" from Pakistan and China - to order 36 more Rafales does not seem possible in the foreseeable future due to the ongoing political slugfest.
The "non-recurring" design and development cost of the 13 ISEs or upgrades, which range from radar enhancements, low-band jammers and Israeli helmet-mounted displays to towed decoy systems and the engine capability for cold start from high-altitude regions, is pegged at 1.3 billion euros in the overall 7.8-billion-euro deal for the 36 Rafales. The first Rafale jet with the 13 ISEs is currently undergoing flight-testing in France, which is expected to achieve certification by April 2022. By this time, the other 35 fighters with the requisite hardware upgrades will be delivered to India in batches of 4-6 each. "Thereafter, it will take another six months to finish the certification for the software to drive the ISEs for all the 36 jets," said another source. The ISEs have led to some controversy after a report claimed the NDA deal proved vastly exorbitant because it led to the 1.3-billion-euro cost being spread over just 36 jets instead of 126 jets under the original but never finalised medium multi-role combat aircraft project being negotiated by the previous UPA government. But the government said it was wrong to selectively pick certain aspects of the deal while ignoring others, and that too without correctly calculating the built-in cost escalation factor.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 607182.cms
India has already paid more than half of the Rs 59,000 crore owed to France under the contract inked in 2016 for the 36 Rafale fighter jets, which will be delivered between November 2019 and April 2022. The 13 India-specific enhancements or upgrades on the 36 jets will, however, become fully operational only by September-October 2022 as they will require another six months to undergo software certification after all of them have touched down in India. Defence ministry sources say around Rs 34,000 crore has been paid in milestone-linked installments. "Another instalment of Rs 13,000 crore is to be made later this year," said a source. The first 15% installment was paid soon after the agreement was inked in September, 2016. Then, even as IAF positioned project management and advance training teams in France, other installments linked to milestones, like completion of critical design review and documentation, were paid. "The remaining installments are linked to actual deliveries, with the final tranche to be paid in 2022," said the source.
The IAF will get delivery of the first four jets in France in September this year, which will be followed by training of the "main" induction team of around 10 pilots, 10 flight engineers and 40 technicians there. As per the schedule drawn up, these jets will arrive at the Ambala airbase in Haryana in May 2020. As was earlier reported by TOI, the IAF plans to base a squadron of 18 Rafales each at the Ambala and Hasimara (West Bengal) airbases to cater to the two fronts with Pakistan and China. The infrastructure coming up at the two airbases at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, incidentally, can house two Rafale squadrons each. But the original plan of the IAF - down to just 31 fighter squadrons when at least 42 are required to tackle the "collusive threat" from Pakistan and China - to order 36 more Rafales does not seem possible in the foreseeable future due to the ongoing political slugfest.
The "non-recurring" design and development cost of the 13 ISEs or upgrades, which range from radar enhancements, low-band jammers and Israeli helmet-mounted displays to towed decoy systems and the engine capability for cold start from high-altitude regions, is pegged at 1.3 billion euros in the overall 7.8-billion-euro deal for the 36 Rafales. The first Rafale jet with the 13 ISEs is currently undergoing flight-testing in France, which is expected to achieve certification by April 2022. By this time, the other 35 fighters with the requisite hardware upgrades will be delivered to India in batches of 4-6 each. "Thereafter, it will take another six months to finish the certification for the software to drive the ISEs for all the 36 jets," said another source. The ISEs have led to some controversy after a report claimed the NDA deal proved vastly exorbitant because it led to the 1.3-billion-euro cost being spread over just 36 jets instead of 126 jets under the original but never finalised medium multi-role combat aircraft project being negotiated by the previous UPA government. But the government said it was wrong to selectively pick certain aspects of the deal while ignoring others, and that too without correctly calculating the built-in cost escalation factor.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
I think its time to make this a dead thread. Not much great news here. I grown arduously tired of them rebuttals and accusations. Why has MMS also not spoken as regards to rafale deal? He should have also pitched in. Atleast DM [NS] video was watchable.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
+1Mihir wrote:Thanks Rakesh saar! Rohit's piece was superb, and his analysis of the cost escalation clauses top-notch.
A tour de force from Rohit Vats, surpassing his other pieces (for eg - the one on MBT ammunition)
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Singha wrote:More powerful engine
>> really? I thought there was no further upg planned to the current M88-3 engine ?
Radar enhancements
>> classified i suppose
Helmet mounted display
>> news to me the french AF does not use thales HMS?
Towed decoy system
Radar warning receiver
Low band jammer
SATCOM
Radio altimeter (CFIT avoidance?)
>> all of this should already be in rafale and spectra will continue to use sw upgrades
Ability to start and operate from High Altitude Airfields
10-hr flight data recorder
>> nothing big
Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST)
>> the OSF was already there but deleted on some rafales to save cost. due to lack on continued funds may not be as good as american IRST anymore. the thales "pirate" IRST for EF also seems not to be so favoured anymore.
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)
>> should be std in all rafales?
Singha
Here are some relevant snippets from Rafale F4 press release by Dassault Aviation
Rafale “F4” standard launched -- Dassault Aviation Press Release
Now correlate these to India Specific Enhancements and existing articles (linked by folks here) that Indian Rafale will be brought to F4 standard eventually.In our role as industrial architect, we will be responsible for implementing innovative connectivity solutions to optimize the effectiveness of our aircraft in networked combat (new satellite and intra-patrol links, communication server, software defined radio).
New functions will also be developed to improve the aircraft’s capabilities (upgrades to the radar sensors and front sector optronics, helmet-mounted display capabilities), and new weapons will be integrated (Mica NG air-to-air missile and 1,000-kg AASM Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon).
Lastly, with regard to availability, we are working under a through-life support contract which will become more “top-down” under the authority of the aircraft manufacturer. F4 will include a new Prognosis and Diagnostic Aid System introducing predictive maintenance capabilities. Other maintenance optimization features are scheduled, particularly with solutions based on Big Data and artificial intelligence. Lastly, the Rafale will be equipped with a new engine control unit.
I think IAF Rafale will be pretty potent. As JayS and Rakesh sir have mentioned we should just order more of these birds (4+ Squadrons) and let Dassault build them in India in a JV with a private player of its choice.
Quoting from Zynda's post above in this same page:
Zynda wrote:Well this livefist article is old, but it does state that current IAF rafales will be upgraded to F4 std as it when "arrives"...probably already included in the contractual agreement to upgrade 36 Rafales from F3R to F4.
https://www.livefistdefence.com/2017/07/14696.html
The improvements under the proposed F4 standard, for instance, which was announced in March and is currently under discussion, will transfer to the IAF’s fleet when ready. Sources told Livefist that the F4 standard will focus not just on tweaks based on the Rafale’s combat experience in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, but also the first full effort to shorten and further simplify the time required to churn out a full-ops Rafale pilot. The IAF will be able to draw on any and all improvements made to the Rafale system.
Last edited by Sumeet on 23 Jan 2019 04:56, edited 2 times in total.
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Sumeet, please do not call me Sir
Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016
Qatari Rafales on the production line at the Dassault factory in Merignac.