A lot of
controversy has arisen on the price tag of the Indian Rafale's. While not
wishing to indulge in mudslinging to the detriment to national security it is
pertinent to look at some of the IAF specific requirements which has
inadvertently lead to the increase in the Rafale's cost.
The IAF
Rafales would be the F3R+ versions with the following India unique features,
most of which are of Israeli origin and design.
1. Rafael's LITENING G4 target
acquisition/designation pod instead of the Damocles designation pod which is
the standard targeting cum acquisition pod for the Rafale.
2. Elbit's Targo II HMDS instead of the Sextant Avionique developed
TopSight
3. Rafael's Spice-1000 standoff PGM and
its related data-link, in addition to DRDO developed standoff precision ground
to air ammunition under development.
4. Quad-pack ejectors for SAAW
EMP-emitting standoff DEW PGM.
5. Optimisation of the M88 turbofan’s
jet-fuel starter for operating in sub-zero temperatures at altitudes above 3000
Meters. Specifically to take off from Leh/Ladhak and the North East keeping in
mind the twin PAF and PLAAF threats.
6. Enhanced SPECTRA EW suite to
accommodate low-band, medium-band and high-band directional jammer apertures.
7. Towed Decoy system, most likely
being the Rafael’s X-Guard.
8. Increased capacity of on board OBOGS,
this to ensure more long ranged mission, allowing the fighters to take off from
deep within India for strikes across the borders.
In
addition there is speculations that the IAF Rafales could also mount the Indian
Astra missile and the Bramhos NG although integration and flight testing of
these 2 missiles could take considerable time, effort and money which with the
shrinking defence budget is unlikely.
(Defence
budget as a % of GDP is at the lowest since the 1962 war with the Peoples
Republic of China)
The
36 Rafales ,28 single seaters and 8 twin seaters would equip 2 squadrons of the
IAF and would be based out of Ambala in the North West and Hasimara in the North East , this to act
if required against both China and Pakistan. What is not highlighted is the
capital cost incurred to build the base infrastructure to house the Rafales.
Additionally the state of the art training facilities which would be part of
the base infrastructure is generations ahead of what the IAF pilots have been
exposed to for fighter planes.
The
training modules in Ambala and Hasimara would be connected to each other and to
Gwalior, the home for the upgraded Mirage 2000 I fleet and more importantly the
cradle of IAF fighter tactics and weapons development the TACDE (Tactical and Air
Combat development Establishment) where future generation of India’s top guns
are born.
One
of the stand out features of the agreement is the 75% PBL clause which has been
mentioned in Part 1 of our feature. Maintenance crews along with the fighter
pilots would be trained in France before the fighters are officially inducted
into the IAF. The Microsoft HoloLens-based virtual/augmented reality hands-on
documentation and training system (HADOC) is also being touted to be part of
the overall package negotiated in the Government to Government deal.
To
be continued
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