saumitra_j wrote: ↑23 Sep 2023 10:27
Thank you Rakesh sir for posting this wonderful show.
Aiyoo!! Why are you calling me Sir?
saumitra_j wrote: ↑23 Sep 2023 10:27Thanks to Vishnu Som for this wonderful program if he still visits this forum. The most interesting/shocking (to me at least) comes at 36:33 - to quote the Air Marshal...
Yes that was very interesting. Even Vishnu Som's eyes popped out at that remark.
I came away from that video with some insights:
1) The IAF is deeply impressed with the Rafale. From the Air Marshal to the air crew to the maintenance crew, they all appreciate the Rafale and the capability it brings to the IAF. My personal perception i.e. they are confident of tackling anything the PLAAF throws at the IAF and that includes the J-20 and the J-31. Rafale pilots also come from varied aircraft types versus just Mirage 2000 pilots. At least two of the pilots in the video came from the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the MiG-21 Bison. The CO of No 101 Squadron - Group Captain Abhishek Tripathi, Callsign: Trips - was a former Rambha driver. The only thing that the IAF feels lacking in the Rafale, is even more Rafales and which leads to my next point...
2) I don't see how any other aircraft in the MRFA contest is going to have the same home base advantage that the Rafale currently offers to the IAF. The Air Marshal remarked that the IAF has been on this particular aircraft type for the past five years. In these five years, they have gained more than a sufficient level of confidence in the aircraft, her capabilities and her aircrew. To restart that process with another aircraft type will not only be cost prohibitive, but equally time consuming. The IAF just does not have that time.
I doubt 114 Rafales will come (budgetary reasons), but additional Rafales are certain. Especially with the Navy ordering 26 Rafales for INS Vikrant, how acquiring another aircraft type (of the 4th gen variety) and have it integrate into IAF's ORBAT will make any sense. It will be a duplication of effort, waste precious CAPEX investment along with the annual OPEX investment. The only downside to additional Rafale aircraft is the ever growing production back log at Merignanc, Framce and which will be impossible to overcome...if the Saudis order their planned 100 - 200 aircraft. I do believe an assembly factory will be set up in India to overcome that impasse, but that will become more clear only post the 2024 General Elections.
3) The IAF plans to keep the Rafale up to date in the years and decades ahead, with an increasing level of indigenous components. That is very heartening to hear. Future Rafale upgrades will include desi weaponry (confirmed news) and possibly Indian sensors and perhaps even radars. Only time will tell how much of this will pan out. But once again France has turned out to be the IAF's secret weapon i.e. allow the IAF to modify the aircraft, make her fully compatible with Indian kit and with no end use inspections. Air HQ's logic -
"We paid for the plane. So what we do with the plane, is our business."
4) Again my personal perception i.e. Air Marshal SP Dharkar came across as being extremely media savvy. Answered all questions with confidence and with flair (classic traits of a fighter pilot). The reason I am bringing this up is because leadership (strong or weak) flows down like a virus in a military hierarchy. If the AOC-in-C appears pliant and weak, one can expect the men & women under him will have the same attitude. I saw that same level of confidence in all the personnel - serving under him - in that video. If their Air Boss has got their back and has full confidence in them, these personnel will imbibe that in their work. And that is extremely essential for mission success.
All in all, a very good video. Well made.