Rafale jets to be a game changer for the IAF

NEW DELHI :

July 27: From Merignac airbase in Bordeaux to Al Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi. The French air force will refuel the Indian fighters using its Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft

July 28: Stopover at Al Dhafra

July 29: From Al Dhafra airbase to Ambala airbase. Refuelling support to be provided by the Indian Air Force’s Ilyushin-78 refuellers

The aircrew that is bringing the Rafale fighter jets to India is led by Group Captain Harkirat Singh (extreme left), the commanding officer of IAF’S No. 17 Squadron. Son of an army officer, Singh is a decorated fighter pilot who was awarded the Shaurya Chakra in 2009 for extraordinary courage while handling an emergency on his MIG-21 jet

Twin-engine fighter capable of carrying 10 tonnes of weaponry

Capable of ground attack, air superiority, nuclear strike deterrence

It can switch from one role to another in the same sortie without compromising performance

Cold engine start capability to operate from high-altitude bases, including Leh

Flight data recorders with storage for 10 hours of data Equipped with radar warning receivers, jammers, infrared search and track systems

Equipped with towed decoys to ward off incoming missiles

Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles with a range of 180km

Mica multi-mission air-to-air missiles with a range of more than 100km

Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles that can hit ground targets 300km away

The Indian Air Force’s Rafale aircraft takes off from the Merignac air base.

The proposed smart weapon Hammer to engage ground targets from a standoff range of 60km