VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

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ramana
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by ramana »

Correct. I don't think folks understand the shortage impact in a double front situation.

HAL can do repair and change out work for Rafales when time comes.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Aditya_V »

Without MIC it is repeating the same mistakes of Vijaynagar and Marathas. DevelDeveloping defence industries is a must for defence else you are delaying the defeat. With such expensive and relatively large orders some critical components have to be developed in house
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by ramana »

Boss we need to retrieve the present and to enjoy the future need to be alive.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Manish_Sharma »

Ramana ji, french do seem to have a pattern.

a.) In 80s they gave us hope that we can manufacture m2k but then raised price, gamed the system in such a way that we ended up buying 51 french mfrd mirages, end first round.

b.) We bought mfrd Shishumar subs from Germans and there were no hiccups, no blaming our technicians/industrial capability and we mfrd happily with their honest ToT. No Delay.

c.) We bought Scorpenes from french and every 2nd day new reports were coming about our incapability to learn and absorb ToT.

d.) MMRCA again they waited patiently for others to ousted, and with help of Antony+Browne made sure in last round ef2k was ousted, so they could have monopoly in pricing. RESULT AGAIN JUST LIKE 80s m2k readymade fighters purchase deal they managed 36 Rafale deal.

They aren't honest like germans. They need a good jhatka.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Cross Post from the Indian Navy News & Discussion thread...

Indian Navy Carrier Jet War Hots Up, Boeing Focuses Fire
https://www.livefistdefence.com/2017/08 ... -fire.html
Boeing sees recent reports of the IAF’s interest in doubling its order for Rafales to 72 aircraft as ‘positive’. Why? That’s answered in the video below with Boeing India chief Pratyush Kumar, the man driving the company’s continued performance in the Indian market...
So apart from Rajat Pandit's report in the Times of India, we have another reporter stating that an additional 36 Rafales may be in the works. I cannot access that video from work. Can someone kindly summarize that video? Much appreciated.

if another 36 Rafales do come, SE is out the window...at least in the tamasha we now know it as.

Karan M, if you are reading this, please take a bow. You predicted this saar...an additional 36 Rafales....may be true now.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Austin »

Most sensible thing to do , We cant really screw with the logistics as we did in most part of 60's 70 and 80 by buying 40 of each type and then later regret why didnt we buy more saved on Logistics , Spare,Weapons ,MRO and training

Just buy 36 more rafale for the IAF and 20 more for IN , That will cost a bomb now but 25 years if you spread the cost and count the saving you had on Logistics , Spares .Weapons ,MRO etc , they will realise the true value of investment and ROI

I dont want to see a IAF in next 25 years with 40 and 50 aircraft of each type from half a dozen country as a badge of honour they wear.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

With reports that the Indian Air Force wants 36 more Rafales (total of 72)...
https://twitter.com/livefist/status/902361144685322240
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Not an IAF Rafale (none exist as of yet), but a beautiful picture....

Rickspotter: Solo decir "Vive la France"
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIhIlITWAAElXfY.jpg
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by shiv »

Does anyone have any information on the capability of the Rafale to lead a group of fighters in the way the F-35 is reputed to be able to do?
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Hakeemji...lead them to do what? Sorry, but could you be a bit more specific?
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by JayS »

A French documentary on Rafale. Apologies if posted already here. You can watch wit English subtitles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVah8EeJezI

I find the front seat too cramped in Rafale. Dunno how pilots feel about it.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

JayS: That is majorly cramped.

This is also a nice video. Even though the title says Indian Rafales, it has nothing to do with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-6mn_q8Jc
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karthik S »

It means the chinese pilot can not fly them.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Dassault CEO says in talks with India about more Rafale jets
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/com ... 845720.ece

“These are different projects,” Trappier said on the sidelines of a defence forum in the southern French city of Toulon. “We're talking about additional jets. Nothing is decided, but we're not going to stop at 36.”
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by JayS »

Rakesh wrote:Dassault CEO says in talks with India about more Rafale jets
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/com ... 845720.ece

“These are different projects,” Trappier said on the sidelines of a defence forum in the southern French city of Toulon. “We're talking about additional jets. Nothing is decided, but we're not going to stop at 36.”
With so many talks with so many OEMs for so many aircrafts, I wonder if we are also talking to pakis about buying Bandars... :rotfl: :rotfl: Afterall bakis have MFN status... :lol: :lol:
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

good one JayS :lol:

But jokes aside, the Meteor missile is one of the key points that the IAF favours additional Rafales. Also makes sense to acquire another 36. No point in spending all this money to build up infrastructure and then station only 18 aircraft per base. Not worth the investment.

If the SE deal does go through - please Bhagwan no - and if the Gripen does win - again Bhagwan, please no - the Meteor will be a strong reason for selection. I could be wrong, but I do not think the Block 70 can fire the Meteor. I believe the F-35 can.

See the tactical advantages of the Meteor here...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_(missile)
Datalink
Meteor will be 'network-enabled'. A datalink will allow the launch aircraft to provide mid-course target updates or retargeting if required, including data from offboard third parties. The datalink electronics are mounted in the starboard intake fairing, ahead of the FAS. The antenna is mounted in the rear of the fairing.

On 19 November 1996 Bayern-Chemie completed the latest in a series of tests designed to assess the attenuation of signals by the boron rich exhaust plume of the TDR, a concern highlighted by opponents of this form of ramjet propulsion. Tests were conducted with signals transmitted through the plume at various angles. The initial results suggested that the attenuation was much less than expected.

Eurofighter and Gripen
With Eurofighter and Gripen, it is a two-way datalink, which will be able to transmit missile information such as functional and kinematic status, information on multiple targets, and notification of target acquisition by the seeker.

Rafale
It is different with Rafale, which is fitted with a one-way link originally designed for use with its MICA missiles.
Mid-course guidance is provided by the fighter (though not necessarily the one that launched the missile) until the active seeker acquires the target; the missile then becomes autonomous for the terminal engagement phase.

Alternatively, the Meteor can be fired without using mid-course update, hampering its chances to find a target, but allowing the Rafale to immediately turn away (similar to "Fire and forget" AASM, MICA or Exocet missile types). This makes it kinematically less likely that the engaged aircraft can hit the Rafale fighter with a missile of comparable capabilities unless the Meteor missile was launched at much shorter range than its engagement range limit.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

Key challenge with Meteor is its active radar guided. Jammers are becoming better every year..
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

But very useful to take out AEWC, IFR at long range, deny the opponent his force multipliers.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by brar_w »

A two-way data-link and future missile to missile communication links will go a long way in counter RF jamming over and above some of the modes already provided. Higher efficiency and lower cost active arrays will probably also push future seekers to higher frequencies. It is always a cat and mouse game. The Rafale though should get the ability to fully communicate with the Meteor sometime in the mid 2020s.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

Rafale AFAIK still has a one way datalink for now.. I wonder whether we took the upgrade option. And the rest is not clearly mentioned on the upg roadmap. Sigh. Wonder what prevents Dassault from making an extended range IR Mica.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

Anyhow these Rafales will be lethal no doubt.. lots of new capabilities. Should just buy more tranches and cancel the farcical single engine fighter contest.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Meteor integration on Rafale completed
http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m ... leted.html
Folks: The CEAM in the above link is for Le centre d'expertise aérienne militaire (The Military Aviation Center of Expertise) ---> http://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/air/ ... -militaire

I am assuming CEAM is the French Air Force's version of the IAF's Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) -->
http://www.indianairforce.nic.in/show_p ... ?pg_id=325

First Sniper flight on the Rafale
http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/2017/03/f ... afale.html
Used by the Pak Air Force on their Block 50/52 F-16s. Now integrated on Qatari Rafales.

MK-82 bomb integration on Rafale
http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/2017/03/m ... afale.html

Rafale F4 standard launched
http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/2017/03/r ... nched.html

Karan, you asked about the extended range Mica. The above link talks about a Mica NG missile integration. I believe MBDA is indeed developing a longer range Mica missile, as per link below...

The Rafale As Canada’s Next Fighter
http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/2014/03/ ... art-2.html
MBDA is presently developing a Mica “NG” missile which, using the same body, that will offer more range, a dual boost engine dramatically increasing NEZ (No-Escape Zone) and even more precise seekers. It should also bring a new datalink capability allowing a buddy plane to guide the missile independently.
With regards to Rafale standards, I believe this is the standard the IAF is getting (from the Rafale F4 standard launched link above) and confirmed by link below and scroll to the bottom...
http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/p/orders- ... eries.html
F3R standard (2018/10/01)
- Meteor
- Talios LDP (Laser Designation Pod)
- AGCAS (Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System)
- IFF mode 5/S
- Link 16 upgrade
- RBE-2 PESA upgrade
- SPECTRA upgrade
- AREOS pod upgrade
- Full SBU-54 integration (the Hammer PGM)
- AASM fuse programmation upgrade
- GBU-16 integration
- NARANG refueling pod - Nacelle de Ravitaillement en Vol de Nouvelle Generation (New Generation In-Flight Refueling Pod)
To see a picture of Narang, please click on link below and scroll to the bottom...

http://rafalenews.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page.html

In the above link, under the Air to Ground missile sub-heading...look for Brahmos-NG :)

In the above link, under the Air to Air missile sub-heading...look for Astra Mk2 and Python 5 :)

After seeing all of the above, why do you need 100 F-Solahs or Gripen Es? Order another 36 Rafales and end that tamasha.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by brar_w »

Karan M wrote:Rafale AFAIK still has a one way datalink for now.. I wonder whether we took the upgrade option. And the rest is not clearly mentioned on the upg roadmap. Sigh. Wonder what prevents Dassault from making an extended range IR Mica.
Correct still one way but at some point they will likely make a switch given that there is capability sitting in the missile that they cannot yet tap. The rest are missile technology advancements that will begin to trickle in, in general and the Meteor and Mica will likely consider them at some pint. Japan is doing a seeker upgrade on the Meteor, and MBDA is developing a higher frequency seeker for surface to air interceptors so they could scale that. I don't have much information on MBDAs work on missile to missile data-links but they will likely invest since a few in this domain are moving to this. Raytheon has a patent that puts active communication arrays on their SM series, and the USN has just issued them a contract to develop missile to missile communication links for the RAM block II which is basically a Aim-9 diameter missile.

I think we will find that requirement framers, and missile makers will continue to address the constant countermeasure--counter-counter measure game with better networked, more jam resistant seekers on the RF side especially when you can now affordable bring in active arrays. The Japanese I believe already field one on a missile and the US army has a Ka band one for a future interceptor. What we are unlikely to see however are non RF seeker on interceptors in the long range domain. At best we may see multi-spectral seekers like the SM2 or Stunner given overall systems analysis. Unless there is a need to go after a different target set RF will remain the sensor of choice for medium to long range interceptors whether air to air, or surface to air. One exception to this may be a low cost interceptor where the RF sensor is priced out at the very get go. That will be more on the C-UAS side of things and not air-combat.
Last edited by brar_w on 06 Sep 2017 14:00, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by JayS »

Rakesh wrote:good one JayS :lol:
Sorry, just couldnt resist.

Admiral sahab, I have endorsed 36 more Rafales right from the starting. Completely agree on better utilization on already spent money on base dev and support infra. And then cut the crap about SE MII. Just buy of the shelf Rafales to keep cost down and choose a pvt co to build infra for MRO and steady spare part supply for 40odd yrs.

BTW i do not endorse buying Rafal just for Meteor or Mica or any one specific thing. Because obviously that would be too costly solution. Buy the missiles instead. Its a good multirole fighter overall and even 72 of them would be a force to reckon with. Plus they can be used for N-weapons delivery. If we want Meteor badly, we should push for SFDR missile. We will have our own meteor in a few years. Anyway Meteor is very costly.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

French Rafale ready to make jets in India
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation ... 71199.html

In line with their contract obligations, French major Dassault Aviation has said it was coordinating between French suppliers and Indian companies to manufacture Rafale fighter jets in India.

Rafale International comprising Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales has met over 100 French Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Paris. Indian and French Defence Ministry officials, too, were at these meetings. The French Aerospace Industries Association is the nodal agency producing systems and sub-systems for Rafale.

French SMEs were being encouraged to set up production activities in India alongside Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales as part of the Rafale programme to help the company meet its obligations, said a Rafale spokesperson in India. The move comes two days after a US business chamber expressed its concerns over sharing hi-end technology with Indian companies.

“Encouraging French SMEs to come to India is a key condition to participate in the ‘Make in India’ initiative of PM Narendra Modi and will benefit both French and Indian industries,” the spokesperson said.

Rafale is looking towards creating opportunities for establishing a full-fledged aero-defence manufacturing eco-system in India, said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO and GIFAS chairman.

The GIFAS is a trade body of 382 members ranging from major prime contractors and system suppliers to small specialist companies.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Cybaru »

If Astra and B-NG are coming on Rafale, then more of them are surely coming! Nice research Admiral!
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Austin »

If MOD can give them numbers they would build Rafale in India that is something they said from day one , they would need numbers of atleast 100 more fighter to make building Rafale and transferring TOT and Factory to setup these in india to become economically viable.

Likely we will order another tranche of 36 more Rafale and just close the case .....Atleast they can build MRO facility in India to do servicing of their aircraft in India and MLU
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by ArjunPandit »

Austin wrote:If MOD can give them numbers they would build Rafale in India that is something they said from day one , they would need numbers of atleast 100 more fighter to make building Rafale and transferring TOT and Factory to setup these in india to become economically viable.

Likely we will order another tranche of 36 more Rafale and just close the case .....Atleast they can build MRO facility in India to do servicing of their aircraft in India and MLU
numbers along with one year of full defense budget, of course over a span of 3 decades
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by JayS »

Rakesh wrote:French Rafale ready to make jets in India
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation ... 71199.html

In line with their contract obligations, French major Dassault Aviation has said it was coordinating between French suppliers and Indian companies to manufacture Rafale fighter jets in India.

Rafale International comprising Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales has met over 100 French Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Paris. Indian and French Defence Ministry officials, too, were at these meetings. The French Aerospace Industries Association is the nodal agency producing systems and sub-systems for Rafale.

French SMEs were being encouraged to set up production activities in India alongside Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales as part of the Rafale programme to help the company meet its obligations, said a Rafale spokesperson in India. The move comes two days after a US business chamber expressed its concerns over sharing hi-end technology with Indian companies.

“Encouraging French SMEs to come to India is a key condition to participate in the ‘Make in India’ initiative of PM Narendra Modi and will benefit both French and Indian industries,” the spokesperson said.

Rafale is looking towards creating opportunities for establishing a full-fledged aero-defence manufacturing eco-system in India, said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO and GIFAS chairman.

The GIFAS is a trade body of 382 members ranging from major prime contractors and system suppliers to small specialist companies.
Interesting spin to fact in the title. French aint making any Rafales in India, rather some of the parts, that too remains to be seen. Simply going to carry out their contractual obligation aka offsets. Classic lifafa journalism.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

So much for Rafale being obsolete by 2036...19 years from now :lol:

Ambala, Hasimara IAF bases being readied for Rafale fighter jets
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 899664.cms

AMBALA: The Indian Air Force has initiated major infrastructure upgrade at its frontline base here for deployment of the first squadron of the Rafale jets which will give India greater "potency" over Pakistan as these will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons and other missiles. The government has already sanctioned Rs 220 crore to set up 14 shelters, hangers and maintenance facilities at the 78- year-old base for the Rafale jets whose delivery is scheduled to begin from September, 2019, a senior IAF official said. "We are creating infrastructure keeping in mind infrastructure requirement for the Rafale jets for next 40-50 years," the official said on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media.

The Ambala base is considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF as the Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from it. Currently, the base has two squadrons of the Jaguar combat aircraft and one squadron of the MiG-21 Bison. Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh, who passed away two weeks ago, was the first commander of the Ambala base in independent India. Several teams from French defence major Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, have already visited the Ambala air force base and finalized the requirement for the first squadron of combat jets. The IAF is also carrying out infrastructure upgrade at its Hasimara base in West Bengal which will house the second squadron of the Rafale jets, the official said.

In September last year, India had signed a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with the French government for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. Eighteen Rafale jets will be deployed in Ambala while an equal number of the new generation jet will be stationed in Hasimara. "We are planning to put in place all required infrastructure for Rafale squadron by end of next year," said the IAF official. The Ambala as well as Hasimara stations will also have simulator-based training facilities for the air crew of Rafale jets. The IAF has already selected a batch of pilots to fly the jets and they are being given training by Dassault Aviation in France.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

Just buy 44 more Rafales and 83 more LCA Mk2s and be done with the SE farce.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Karan M »

Replace 123 MK1 LCAs with LCA Mk2S over time.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by sankum »

To get to 42 sq strength by 2030 168(8sq) LCA mk2 will be required apart from 44nos additional Rafales, 42nos additional Su30 mki. and 36 nos FGFA for no SE competition.

FGFA-2sq
Rafale- 4sq
Su 30-16 sq
LCA-14sq
Mirage-2sq
Jaguar-4sq
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Some more tidbits from the above article from Tribune. An utter waste of money in developing all this infrastructure for an aircraft to be obsolete by 2036 :mrgreen:

Ambala airbase gearing up for Rafale fighters
http://morungexpress.com/ambala-airbase ... -fighters/

The Indian Air Force airbase here, one of IAF’s oldest, is getting a slew of upgrades, including new hangars, tarmac and simulators for flight training, as it prepares to welcome the country’s newest fighters, the French Rafale — the first new combat jet to be inducted in close to 20 years. A French team has already visited the airbase and a preliminary study has been completed. While some of the existing infrastructure will be used for the new Rafale squadron, additional infrastructure in the form of at least 14 new shelters, new hangars, new operating surfaces, a de-briefing room and a facility for simulator training will be created, for which Rs 227 crore ($35 million) has been sanctioned.

“The construction work for the new infrastructure will start in January or February 2018. The French team has given its requirements and the preliminary work has been completed,” the Commanding Officer of the Ambala airbase, Air Commodore L.K. Chawla, told IANS, adding that the upgraded infrastructure is expected to last at least 40 to 50 years. The French team has promised a 70 percent serviceability factor for the Rafales and there is also a long-term contract for the supply of spares.

Golden Arrows, 17 Squadron, will initially comprise four Rafales that are likely to arrive in September 2019, with the number being gradually ramped up to a full-strength of 18 by 2022. The squadron had seen action during the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan when it flew MiG-21s under the command of the present Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, then a Wing Commander. The frontline Ambala airbase, under the Western Air Command, is the principal guardian of the airspace over the national capital, a five minute flying distance away. The Pakistan border is just over 200 km away. Currently two squadrons of Jaguar fighter jets, and one squadron of MiG-21 Bisons are based in Ambala. The MiG-21s will be shifted to the Nal airbase in Rajasthan before the Rafales arrive.

The second squadron of Rafales will begin arriving once Ambala is at full strength and these aircraft will be stationed at Hashimara in the east, close to the China border. India and France signed a 7.8 billion euros (Rs 59,000 crore/$8.7 billion) inter-government agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters, off the shelf, on September 23 last year. This was after prolonged negotiations over the price and other aspects of the deal, which was agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in April 2015. The deal includes an offset clause of 50 percent of the value of the aircraft and its weapons package will be discharged by the manufacturer through purchase from Indian firms.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

India to Station Rafale Jets Within Strike Range of China and Pakistan
https://sputniknews.com/asia/2017100310 ... fale-jets/

India is finalizing the logistical arrangements for its Rafale fighter jet equipped Air Force squadrons to be stationed at two different air bases located at such a distance from where Indian Air Force can hit both its rival neighbors in less than 180 seconds.Yadong of China is less than 100 kilometers from Hasimara while Indian Air Force can hit other parts of Southern Tibet through Bhutan Airspace within four minutes.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Kartik »

Anyone wants to take a shot at guessing which the next Rafale squadron will be?

The likeliest ones will be those that were flying MiG-21Ms followed by those flying MiG-21Bis and then MiG-27UPGs. There are another 2 squadrons of Su-30MKI and 3 squadrons of Tejas Mk1 to come, and they too will likely be from one of these.

No.35 Squadron- Rapiers - MiG-21M
No. 37 Squadron- Black Panthers- MiG-21M
No. 101 Squadron- Falcons- MiG-21M
No. 108 Squadron- Hawkeyes- MiG-21M

No. 15 Squadron- Flying Lances- MiG-21Bis
No. 26 Squadron- Warriors- MiG-21Bis

No. 221 Squadron - Valiants - MiG-23BN- disbanded (perhaps earmarked to be a Su-30MKI squadron?)
No. 222 Squadron- Tigersharks- MiG-27 - Hashimara-
No. 18 Squadron- Flying Bullets- MiG-27 - Kalaikunda
No. 22 Squadron- Swifts- MiG-27 - Hashimara

With 2 MiG-27 squadrons at Hashimara, these appear likeliest to be re-equipped with the Rafale.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by tsarkar »

Kartik wrote:Anyone wants to take a shot at guessing which the next Rafale squadron will be?
It's been announced, 17 & 18 Squadron. Dhanoa commanded 17 Sq during Kargil. It was earmarked for Su-30 but will now fly Rafales.

No 18 was NJS Sekhon's squadron that has served in EAC for quite some time.

No 15 is equipped with Su-30s and went to the last Red Flag.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Kartik »

tsarkar wrote:
Kartik wrote:Anyone wants to take a shot at guessing which the next Rafale squadron will be?
It's been announced, 17 & 18 Squadron. Dhanoa commanded 17 Sq during Kargil. It was earmarked for Su-30 but will now fly Rafales.

No 18 was NJS Sekhon's squadron that has served in EAC for quite some time.

No 15 is equipped with Su-30s and went to the last Red Flag.
Oh I missed that news. I just read about No.17 'Golden Arrows' being the first Rafale squadron and hadn't read about No.18 'Flying Bullets' earlier.

And thank you for the correction on No.15 'Fying Lances' squadron. Upon doing a little more research (and not relying on Wiki or even the Bharat Rakshak squadron page), I found this pic of a No.15 squadron Su-30MKI

Image
Team of IAF topguns from No.15 Squadron "Flying Lances" posing for a group pic with their flying machine the MKI at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Red Flag. The odd one in the middle of pic is the talented Kedar Karmarkar covering the exercise beautifully.
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Re: VayuSena Rafale: News and Discussions - 17 Oct 2016

Post by Rakesh »

Kartik, thank you for taking the lead in doing research on this. I love squadron histories and always eager to know which squadrons will be raised after being number plated. Your info above is a gold mine. Thank You.
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