ACM Krishnaswamy

Induction of Rafale Jets signifies a great trust and responsibility being imposed on those who will manage, maintain, support and fly these wonderful war-fighting machines

By Air Chief M

rsh l S. Krishn sw y (Retd)

RAFALE: INDUCTION OF A NEW GENERATION IN WAR-FIGHTING

Combat aircraft are primarily weapons of war and to perform air superiority and have the extraordinary ability their potentials define their ability in war-fighting. In 1965, our to cruise at supersonic speeds without sustained use of engine pilots fought air battles flying the Gnat that had just two guns after-burners. but no missiles or on-board radar which is unthinkable these The Rafale jets of the IAF can carry a weapon load twice days. The MiG-21s that we acquired in the late ‘60s and right that of the Jaguar, covering a much farther range and yet perthrough the ‘80s flew much faster, had a rudimentary radar’ but forming effectively the role of a nimble air superiority fighter. were limited in respect of payload and range. The French have proved admirable in pursuing research in

A void was felt in the capability of the Indian Air Force high-end technologies independently and succeeded in devel(IAF) to strike deep inside the enemy territory. That called oping a variety of products of their own brand in a highly comfor the induction of a fleet of Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft petitive area of aerospace engineering. Their success reflects (DPSA) that could carry fine leadership, cohesion twice the load of the MiGs of their military and scienand fly double the range. tific community as well as The Jaguar came in 1979 strong governmental supas the DPSA which had an port. Besides the airframe inertial navigation system, and engine, the French also the accuracy of which was developed the entire range hitherto unheard of. These of sensors and Electronic aircraft could deliver weapWarfare (EW) systems and ons with pin-point accuracy; have integrated these, right but were limited in manoeuat the design stage. vrability. Then came, the We must not forget that air-superiority fighters that the Project Development were designed with relaxed Phase of the Light Comstability to achieve superbat Aircraft was actively manoeuvrability by virtue of supported by the French electronically-driven flight exploiting their experience controls. in developing the Mirage

Air superiority fighters 2000. We could certainly such as the F-16, Mirage try and emulate the French 2000 and MiG-29, ruled the Rafale being refueled in the air on their way to India leadership and cohesion in skies over the earlier generdeveloping our own aircraft ation of combat aircraft. Furand weapon systems. ther advances in aerodynamics, lighter alloys and composite It was a joy to see the first five Rafale Jets land so gracefully material, helped in developing fighters capable of carrying more on the runway at Ambala. Hats-off to all those, who persevered fuel and payload without losing out on super-manoeuvrability. for years, to get the Rafale inducted into the IAF. These Jets These were the Su-30 family of aircraft, the Eurofighter and the entering our own hangars signifies a great trust and responsiFrench Rafale. American fighters such as the F-22 and F-35 bility being imposed on those who will manage, maintain, suphad added capabilities like Stealth that made them fifth–generport and fly these wonderful war-fighting machines that will ation fighters. Most of these aircraft are capable of performing soon join the other protectors of our nation – and touch the sky ‘Swing Role’ whilst in the air on a strike mission, to be swung with glory! SP