Rafale : The Mission Possible
Air Marshal (retd) Anil Chopra
Air Marshal Anil Chopra, one of the first group of pilots converting on Mirage 2000s in France and thereafter continuing with his distinguished career, writes on the various attributes of the Dassault Rafale which omni-role fighter “would allow the IAF to dominate this skies and project power through air-sovereignty missions”.
As the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya sailed towards the warmer Indian Ocean, it also warmed the cockles of Indian hearts that had waited for its arrival for over 5 years. Now, all eyes are set, and some fingers crossed, for signing of the mother-of-all-deals, the near $20 billion Medium Multi- Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Rafale contract. The Indian Air Force, the aviation industry and the national security establishment have great stakes in early conclusion of this game-changing deal.
The IAF’s dwindling fighter squadrons, currently near an all-time low of 34, are the cause of serious concern. With 50 percent offset obligations, the Indian aviation industry is virtually salivating in expectation of their share of this huge business that could also infuse latest technologies. With two not- so- friendly nuclear neighbours with whom we have serious boundary disputes, and have actually gone to war, national security requires strong air power which has become the dominating means of prosecution of war. A recent statement by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal S Sukumar that the Rafale deal would be signed “within this financial year” was like a flicker of a candle in the wind.
With continuing delays in development of the indigenous ADA-HAL Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and inevitable phasing out of MiG-21s and MiG-27s, and in time, MiG-29s and Jaguars, there is urgent need for a replacement aircraft. The requirement of 126 MMRCAs (six squadrons) was first mooted by the IAF in 2001. After much iteration, the final Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued in August 2007. The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian MiG- 35, Dassault Rafale, Lockheed F-16 Super Viper and Saab JAS 39 Gripen were the shortlisted types. The first 18 aircraft (one squadron) would be procured from the selected OEM in ‘fly away’ condition and the remaining 108 manufactured in India by HAL with full Transfer of Technology (TOT). Value of the contract was estimated at $14.92 billion. There was an option clause for 74 additional aircraft.
After rigorous flight and ground evaluation, the Rafale and the Typhoon were determined as technically compliant. On 31
January 2012 it was announced that Dassault Rafale had won the competition owing to its lower life-cycle costs. The Rafale thus emerged “a world beater” after a very tough competition of “the best among of the best.”
Rafale and induction of technologies
The Rafale is described as a state-of-the art multirole combat aircraft capable of simultaneously undertaking air supremacy, air- interdiction and reconnaissance tasks as also airborne nuclear deterrent missions. In addition to this great operational capability, Rafale would infuse new technologies into the IAF. The large-delta winged fighter, with all-moving canards, has very high agility and manoeuvrability, even at low speeds, plus super cruise (sustained supersonic flight without engagement of afterburners). The Rafale which is in service with both the French Air Force and carrier-based with the French Navy, would eventually become the lone combat aircraft type operated by the French. Although not a full-aspect stealth aircraft, the Rafale has reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and low infra-red signature, thanks to extensive use of modern composite materials.
The Rafale’s ‘glass cockpit’ is designed around the principle of data fusion, wherein a central computer intelligently selects and prioritises display information for focussed command and control. An integrated direct voice input (DVI) system allows a range of aircraft functions to be controlled by the pilot’s voice command. There is an advanced hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS), with a right-handed side-stick control. The pilotfriendly cockpit is fully compatible with night vision goggles (NVG) while an onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS) eliminates the need to carry bulky oxygen storage cans. Rafale’s advanced avionics suite includes the passive front-sector electrooptical system operating in both the visible and infra-red wave lengths. The Rafale features an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA (by Thales), which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats. The Areos all-weather, nightand- day- capable reconnaissance system has the ability to transmit information such as images in real- time to ground stations. The Rafale is now flying with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
Best Manufacturing, Best Practices
The win-win situation continues for the many other players. Specific Transferof- Technology ( ToT) clauses make it incumbent on the OEM to ensure this happens. As such the AESA radar, advanced cockpit avionics, OBOGS, integrated digital fly-by-wire controls, stealth features, composite structures, RCS reduction and self-protection features will be game changers in the arena of South Asia. The overall value of the radar, electronic systems, communications and self- protection equipment is about 30 percent the cost of the entire aircraft. The offset clause of 50 per cent will bring in nearly $10 billion worth of work for Indian companies, with Hindustan Aeronautics as the main beneficiary. It is recalled that when HAL started the Jaguar assembly, this greatly improved component manufacture, sheet metal work, milling of turbine blades, and other manufacturing practices. Setting up of the Mirage 2000 overhaul facilities again brought many best industry practices to HAL and also changed the mind-set and work culture at shop floor and management levels. The big question, however is, does HAL have the capacity to absorb such huge amounts within the short timelines? Has HAL created big enough vendor-base to outsource tasks ? Will HAL be able to maintain the production quality standards?
Meanwhile, Indian industry at large has also been waiting to get invited ! In May 2001, the Indian Government opened defence industry for up to 100 percent private sector participation and up to 26 percent Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI), both of course “subject to licensing”. Major private-players in the defence sector today include Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TAS), Larsen & Toubro, Kirloskars, Mahindra Defence Systems and Ashok Leyland. Dassault were looking for a suitable Indian offset partner, their focus initially being on the Tata Group, with their historical connection in aviation. Reliance Industries, being the very well endowed financial group, was another choice, and one which they took. Indian industry strengths are well known, which can rapidly progress from small component manufacture to sophisticated electronics, software, critical engineering components, complex sheet metal work, high quality milling etc. Synergising the activities of DRDO, HAL and Tier-I Industry would have to be coordinated.
However, the management of offsets is a major task in itself. There is an Indian company, Offset India Solutions (OIS), which has recently come about to extend a partnering approach and provide “customised expertise to international companies for fulfilling their Offset obligations throughout the lifecycle”, acting as an interface between Indian manufacturers and foreign companies. Others too have set up major ventures in India : Thales and Safran have traditionally a strong presence and relationship with Indian companies. The Safran group has already invested in India through Safran Engineering Services, with Snecma HAL and Turbomeca- India Engines as their major component. Thales also has joint venture agreements with BEL and Samtel for avionics and with Roltas for C4ISR systems, besides having a software development company in Chennai for global customers. Thales too has a major stake in India with the on-going Mirage 2000 fleet upgrade in France and are surely and anxiously awaiting conclusion of the Rafale contract. The MMRCA contract is humongous and could prove to be a turning point for India’s aerospace industry and a game changer particularly for the emerging private sector.
The New Missions
The Rafale, poetically in French means a ‘sudden gust of wind or squall.’ As the world awaits formalisation of this ‘fighter deal of the century’, let us examine what this ‘ omni- role’ fighter would mean to India’s national security. Incorporating most advanced technologies with an open and highly adaptive architecture, the Rafale can efficiently perform all types of missions in day or night, in all-weather conditions, both stand-alone and in mixed-formation operations, which gives it high levels of strategic flexibility. The Rafale has been operationally employed over Afghanistan, Libya and Mali.
Defence analyst Chris Pocock succinctly described the first mission to Mali, which was a four-Rafale, 3,400-mile, air interdiction operation launched at night. The aircraft took off from an airbase in France with less than 48 hours’ notice and went on to destroy 21 identified rebel targets in the middle of Mali. They were each carrying three 2,500-litre external fuel tanks, with either six 500lb GBU- 12 laser- guided bombs and a Thales Damocles designator pod, or six Sagem ‘Hammer’ AASM (Armament Air-Sol Modulaire), air-to ground modular GPS precision guided smart bombs. They
landed back at N’Djamena in Chad after 9 hours 45 minutes in flight, having been mid-air-refueled six times. Up to six aircraft subsequently flew daily day and night from N’Djamena to targets 800 miles away on reconnaissance and close-air-support (CAS) missions.
Lt. Col. Francois Tricot, commanding officer of one of the two French Air Force Rafale squadrons paid handsome tributes to the air crew : “To RV ( rendezvous) with air refuellers, at 0200 hours over a dark continent when you are miles from anywhere, was commendable and reassuring, and proves that our interoperability training works !” He noted that the new generation reconnaissance pods contain long-range infrared band and visible spectrum sensors that can image from high altitude, as well as on high-speed, low-altitude missions. To save time interpreting the imagery, some preselected frames are data-linked to a ground station. “The Rafale can launch 12 Hammers within a minute and hit targets dispersed over a wide area” said Tricot. The Rafale can now also carry the longer-range 500lb GBU-22 and heavier 2,000lb GBU24 laser-guided bombs. Availability rate of the Rafales was over 90 percent, despite tough deployment conditions.
The Indian Air Force has seen similar availability rates with its Mirage 2000 fleet. Mali also saw interoperability of Rafales with some of the aircraft types which also fly with IAF, which includes the IAI Heron UAV, the Boeing C-17, Lockheed Martin C-130 and Il-76, among others. In action over Afghanistan and Libya, the Rafale has been tested over deserts, seas and high mountains. They have flown air defence, long range strike, maritime strike, reconnaissance and SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) missions, which are a great portent of how the IAF will be able to employ the Rafale across the spectrum of missions.
The aircraft’s multi-role capability is significantly enhanced by simultaneous management of systems for multiple missions, with the pilot acting as the ‘battle manager’. Rafale’s land and carrier-based versions have minimal differences, and in fact this is the only non-US fighter also cleared to operate from US aircraft-carriers. The Rafale has been thoroughly tested in large number of multi- national exercises such as Red Flag, Advanced Tactical Leadership Course exercise at UAE, ‘Tiger’ meet, Indo-French exercise ‘Garuda’ and others.
Commercially available modular data processing units allow continuous upgrades and seamless integration of new weapons. With max take-off weight being 2.5 times its empty weight it gives the Rafale great fuel and weapon carriage combinations with a phenomenal external load of nine tons. Visual and Beyond Visual range (BVR) MICA missile variants, modular bombs with option of GPS/infra-red/inertial kits, long range stand-off air-to surface (ground/ sea) weapons, laser-guided bombs, 30mm cannon with 2500 rounds per minute, makes this a very potent weapon platform. Stealth features and the electronic warfare suite improves its survivability. The Rafale has great man-machine interface. Being a ‘mid-sized’ aircraft, albeit twin-engined, allows for high reliability while its modular concept, including for the M-88 engine, reduces maintenance man- hours, costs and down-time, and also reduces spares inventories. Embedded in the design is easy accessibility, making the Rafale a ‘maintenance man’s dream machine’.
Extended mission ranges will allow Rafales of the IAF to dominate South Asian skies and project power through ‘ air- sovereignty’ missions extended to Indian Ocean littorals, so meeting India’s global aspirations. Benefits of transfer of modern technology would mean imbibing extensive technical knowledge. France is the only western country outside USA with an encompassing range of aviation technologies: cooperation would be mutually beneficial to India and France.
Events in recent decades, in the Falklands, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, Mali and Uttrakhand have confirmed that air power is always the first military component to be engaged in crises or conflicts. Military aviation undoubtedly remains the most strategic weapon. In modern warfare, air dominance from the very start is an imperative, so that ground and maritime operations can be conducted safely and efficiently. India now awaits this unique force multiplier carrying its national colours.