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IAF zeroes in on Rafale and Eurofighter for MMRCA deal: Report

Posted On: Aug 09, 2010

The Eurofighter Typhoon and French Rafale fighters in contention for India's MMRCA deal.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Indian Air Force has zeroed in on French company Dassault Aviation’s Rafale and European consortium EADS's Eurofighter Typhoon as its choice of fighter aircraft for India’s big ticket medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal.

According to a report in the Times Now news channel, the IAF, which submitted its flight trials evaluation report to the Defence Ministry late last month, has recommended Rafale and Typhoon fighters, eliminating other four contenders from the list.

Interestingly, France’s Rafale was initially out of the MMRCA deal as Dassault did not provide the required information on some equipment and add-ons that the IAF wanted. The fighter later made its reentry as a contender after a decision by the Defence Procurement Board to allow the aircraft to take part in the flight trials.

With the IAF’s recommendations, those who now seem to have lost out in the race include US defence major Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Super Viper and Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, Russian United Aircraft’s MiG-35 and Swedish SAAB’s Gripen.

According to the news channel, IAF in its report has said that the Russian fighters have fallen out because their engines have “failed to impress” while the F-16s have “no future”.

Another reason for choosing the two fighters is also political, according to the news report. “We regard India as a strategic security partner and this is why we do not insist on an end user monitoring agreement period.” the report quoted German ambassador Thomas Matussek as saying.

India had last year inked the End-Use Monitoring Agreement (EUMA) with the US which stipulated physical inspection of defence equipment and technology sold to India by the US.

After the IAF recommendations, the ball is now in the Defence Ministry's court to take the call on the $10.4 billion defence deal.

Total Comments : 23

Posted By : Amit Major

Aug 09, 2010 11:58 PM

I appreciate choice made by Indian Air Force in choosing the aircrafts. Ruling out US F-16’s and F-18’s is logically explained in single word. Can’t comment on MIG – 35’s as MIG’s are always my favorite because of their agility and toughness. Between these two fighters I would give 1+ to Rafale because of its innovative fighting element add-on’s, example: Spectra (Electronic Counter measures System) . Maneuvering system of this fighter is too good. For Typhoon, its super cruise ability really impressive. Advanced HUD and helmet data display makes it unique. But still I go for Rafale.

Posted By : Jaques Demulier	Aug 10, 2010 5:48 PM
The Typhoon performance is best. Rafale is too limited in the air-to-ground role (i'm not sure, whether this is a player here...)

Posted By : Punit Shukla	Aug 10, 2010 6:40 PM
If news is true. My choice is Rafale- Because technologically both ER & Rafale are close. For Rafale you need to deal with only one country, France is politically more useful than England or Germany. Combat Radius is also better(keeping in mind China). Probably best part is Indian experience with Mirage-2K. The only concern is its price & AESA

Posted By : vysakh chandran	Aug 10, 2010 10:33 PM
but i think eurofighter is good.because of if we choose typhoon we will also get single crystal turbo technology.the rafale only have 50++ thrust.its enough for fighter but the typhoon have more thrust and also had thrust vectoring

Posted By : vysakh chandran	Aug 11, 2010 1:47 AM
Rafale was good, but i think Typhoon is more good than rafale.Rafale had enough thrust but Typhoon have more thrust than rafale.Its also have thrust vectoring tech.If we choose Typhoon we can also get its single crystal blade technology.so it can also used ours faild Kaveri engein.and also we get strategic & bilaterl relashionship between four European nations

Posted By : amardeep

Aug 12, 2010 8:13 PM

i would definitely vouch for rafale. simple plain reason- its got a future. Its the more recent one in terms of age and can see iaf well into 2050. moreover it supercedes the mirage 2000 which is highly regarded in indian defence circles and combat proven during the kargil war. france has been a reliable all weather military supplier to indian defence needs which was amply demonstrated during the kargil war. the cost of the aircraft makes its induction prohibitory for countries like pakistan. moreover with the chinese opting for indigenisation with jf 17 and its subsequent induction by pakistan,. the aircraft assumes even greater importance as it is much more advanced than in all parametres than the jf 17.

Posted By : Wodos	Aug 13, 2010 10:36 PM
I would go for Eurofighter despite its cost because of supercruise, better radar and the thrust vectoring engine (obvious benefit for Tejas). It is also stated to be the best after F22 in terms of air superiority ... ofcourse we also have SU30MKI's there. Even though Raffale is French (HUGE ADVANTAGE) Eurofighter seems to be better at the moment..

Posted By : amardeep

Aug 15, 2010 2:19 AM

when i say rafale has got a future, i say it because the eurofighter already has a replacement earmarked for it- the f 35 jsf with uk and italy being major partners in the programme. the french however are not. the development and upgradation programme for the rafale, hence, is more rigorous and likely to be implemented more dilligently. with the laid down r&d programme for rafale, if it goes as per plan will achieve a rough parity with the f-35 lightning II ,not equal it though. the offsets for india are obvious. the rafale will remain to be the most tech advanced bird in the asian skies for a long time to come.

Posted By : amardeep

Aug 15, 2010 2:55 AM

by the way the comments above stating rafale being limited in ground role require citation. 1. rafale is combat proven (gulf war II) where it was primarily involved in ground attack role. the eurofighter, however is yet to see any combat. 2. rafale is much more advanced than the ef. someone with even a liitle knowledge on fighter aircraft can make out just by a cursory look that the rafale airframe is way better designed in terms of stealth technology (notice the intakes, reflecting surfaces, aerodynamics) 2. its got much better potential for integration with isreali subsystems( which forms a part of the GSQR or general service qualitative requirements). 3. the actual capabilities of the radar which actually is the most crucial aspect, lesser mortals like you and me will never know! however thales has developed an RBE2 AESA for rafale which will be installed on all models later than 2011( mk F4 standards by nomenclature). 4. thrust? cruise? if these are the sole parametres by which a fighter is to be judged then nothing beats russians. in fact the slower a fighter can fly the better! thats why variable geometry fighters were made. rafale with its dela wing configuration solves the purpose without the need for variable geomtry. 5. the most crucial requirements out of todays fighter are its radars, targetting pods, bvr capabilities, stealth, data sharing, electronic counter measures and electronic counter counter measures and munition stowage (nothing beats rafale at 9.5 tons). as a matter of fact in terms of maneuverability which is required in dog fights ( low possibility), none of the fighters in the bids beat the su 30. not even a fighter like the raptor can do the pugachev coobra! but the raptor will present a negligible radar cross section to the su 30, a negligible IR signature and will engage the su 30 bvr and out of the range of su 30. thats how air wars of the future will be and not the old fashioned dog fights. if you can comprehend the above stated facts, you will appreciate that rafale (i.e 2010 and later models) is near 5th generation in its capabilities and is poised for transformation into 5th generation with a rigorous r&d programme.

Posted By : AlphaZulu

Aug 22, 2010 2:46 AM

@ amardeep, You are mistaken. France did not participate in Gulf War 2. They were against it. I think you are thinking of Afghanistan, and even then the Rafale didn't do much and even had to rely on Mirage 2000s and Super Étendards carrying laser designation pods to designate their targets. There's a reason why only one country flies it since it was introduced in 2000, France. Many others have turned it down. Its simply NOT combat-proven.

Posted By : R H Satyam	Sep 10, 2010 10:09 PM
France would be a reliable partner.Good choice.

Posted By : Dr.Rocks(Rocky)	Sep 18, 2010 11:48 AM
IAF zeroes in on Rafale and Eurofighter for MMRCA deal: Report?. I think we are to wait for improvements in cockpit of EUROFIGHTER (which killed Sudi pilot at Spain?. Russian planes with western technology are best suited for Indian conditions.

Posted By : Sanjay Mudbidri	Oct 28, 2010 6:50 PM
I believe Eurofighter is the appropriate choice considering spin off benefits for our LCA mark 2 .

Posted By : karan

Jan 11, 2011 5:02 PM

I will like point out that eurofighter and french RAFALE have both originated from the same platform as france was in the eurofighter program however france pulled out because France has its own interests that could not be met on a unilateral level with EF project.France has a history of making its own fighters, and needed a carrier based multi-role aircraft. So they decided that it was worth spending the money on their own fighters making Rafale more reliable and its being sourced from 1 country that makes it more logical and as the avionic and the aircraft can be upgraded in the near future .. i will go with Rafale

Posted By : sidharth diwey	Apr 12, 2011 1:16 AM
I would prefer to see the eurofighter in the indian sqaud. This is because of its high manuveribility and also its sleath capabilities. The only down side is its limited weapon carrying capabilities

Posted By : varun	Apr 19, 2011 2:33 AM
better 2 prefer a fighter that can provide good svc&performance

Posted By : Sidharth D Diwey	Apr 23, 2011 12:10 AM
Ha 5th gen f/35 That is clearly a desperate move by the US to get deals in the Indian market Who says we can't effect the worlds markets Now if we get them it would be a def steal Am not sure If we get tech transfer or is the fighter on offer to us though

Posted By : v_atekor	Apr 28, 2011 7:57 PM
Just to add a point to my previous post. I think that here as well as everywhere, the technologie wont be a so important point. Compatibilty of weapon (Mirage 2K?), price (the Euro is much more expensive than the Sterling), technologies transfers (France offers a full transfert to Brazil) will play an importante game in the final choice.

Posted By : sudheer

Apr 29, 2011 1:47 AM

For me either of them are good choice. eurofighter with proposal of thrust vectoring, it will become even more agile. its supercruise capability no plane can run far from it. once fully operational its CAESA Radar will be the most powerful in the world. As it was already stated by our MOD " money is not the criteria" this will just enough how capable it is with latest sensors and weapons, its not too far from any other modern planes that are good at A2G operations, and regarding to spares India will be going to manufacture rest of the planes here in India so that is also not an issue, Most of all India is offered the 5th Partner status in the Typhoon program. And when it comes to Rafale, French are always our Freinds, Rafale is capable and Worlds only OMNIROLE fighter,which provides A2A,A2G & Reconnaissance operations, French are developing this fighter on their own, all the technologies and sensors used in Rafale are developed by them. And it latest RBE2 AESA Radar is considered to be one of the best to be produces when it is introduced in 2012. and also Rafale is both launched from normal runways and carrier decks. with the induction of latest weapons recently it is nothing short of ammunination. So cheers to all Indians as we are going to get one of the best MMRCAS. Thanks IAF even though you kept whole country waiting but finally it is sweet, no no sweeter, no no no swetest.

Posted By : das

Jun 15, 2011 8:21 PM

Rafale is better choice than Eurofighter 1.It has low radar signature compared to Typhoon, hence detecting is not easy 2. Evolved out of the dependable Mirage 2000 which saw combat in Kargil war 3. It has variation in sea based fighter 4. It will give boost to Tejas development in the future. 5. Single vendor country unlike multiple headaches 6. Rafale has already won order from Brazil if not mistaken 7. It is also smaller compared to the Typhoon. 8. Good avionics and software technology from France 9. France a reliable partner than UK

Posted By : karthik	Jul 20, 2011 3:10 PM
I would recommended Typhoon, its reach cruise speed without afterburner lot of upgrades option at next 2 decades include AESA radar. Compare to rafale cost is high but it's worth. Hope our goverment will choose Eurofighter for our air force.

Posted By : vinayak	Aug 27, 2011 5:24 PM
Transfer of technology ,life span are also important If I am not wrong,European consortium EADS is ready on terms and conditions of IAF.IF fact,they are ready to invest particular percent of contract price in India

Posted By : vinayak	Sep 07, 2011 4:58 PM
sir, typhoon Fighters are best for IAF.They are not only superior than Rafale but IAF is also working on GE414 engine for LCA these engines are currently use by U.S .Airforce for hornet.Apart from this IAF also dealing for Mirag 2000 Upgradation. this make IAf Sufficiently strong.

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