Posted on 01/31/2012 7:54:43 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
As an example, it would be like the US buying the Eurofighter Typhoon for the USAF when they already have the F-22 and upgraded AESA-enabled F-15s. Ok, it is a nice plane, but it is adding a component that is already well covered.
Where India has deficiencies is in strike capabilities
proper first class strike capabilities. The Rafale shines brightly here, with a carry capacity that is astounding (almost F-15 level), and some very sophisticated avionics. Add to this the fact that in air-to-air it can perform as well as the Eurofighter (and even though on paper the Eurofighter is better due to its bigger nose that can accommodate a bigger radar and its higher maneuverability above certain speeds - based on actual evaluations the Rafale has performed better, which is quite ironic considering what a certain magazine says). The Rafale gives India several advantages a superlative strike capability, extremely advanced avionics, an air-to-air capability that is functionally (i.e. in the real world and not just paper stats) as good as that of the Eurofighter, a more mature platform (the Eurofighter development program depended a lot on India signing up, with India expected to provide a good share of AESA developments, TVC work, and, if necessary, a navalized platform but the Rafale is ahead of the Typhoon program). At a cheaper price.
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