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India Buys 114 Rafale Fighters for $2 Billion

Asia Defense and Security Report, India is accelerating the process of purchasing another 114 Rafale fighter jets to fully replace the MiG-21 aircraft in the Indian Air Force. This is to counter the 40 J-35A stealth fighters that Pakistan is about to purchase.

The Indian Air Force has asked the Indian government to directly place the order without conducting a global tender, aiming for faster and more economical procurement. The Indian Navy had already ordered 26 Rafale-M carrier-based aircraft for 7.4 billion US dollars in April 2025, replacing the MiG-29K carrier-based aircraft.

With the existing 36 Rafale aircraft, the Indian Air Force is now ordering an additional 114 Rafale aircraft. The Indian Air Force will then have 176 Rafale aircraft. Why does India need so many Rafale aircraft?

India mainly saw the potential of the Rafale fighter jet to launch the "SCALP-EG" long-range cruise missile with a range of 500 kilometers, as well as the "Hammer" (AASM) modular air-to-ground precision-guided bomb.

The Indian military is negotiating with Dassault of France, requesting that the source code be opened. Once this is done, the Rafale can launch India's domestically produced Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, Rudram anti-radiation missile, and smart anti-airfield weapons.

In the 5.7 air combat, the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighters were beaten by the Pakistan's J-10CE fighters equipped with the PL-15 air-to-air missiles. This time, France will provide the SPECTRA electronic warfare system in a targeted manner.

France said that this electronic warfare system can effectively reduce the radar detection range of the J-10 aircraft and interfere with the PL-15 air-to-air missile system.

The Indian Air Force is preparing a revenge operation to launch a large-scale strike against Pakistan. First, it will increase the purchase of the Russian S-400 long-range air defense missile system, while also discussing the procurement of the S-500 ultra-long-range air defense missile system.

The Indian military plans to establish a 400-500 km coverage depth interception zone at the front line using the S-400 and S-500 long-range air defense missiles. India is also applying for the procurement of a large electronic warfare system from Russia to target Pakistan's air force and missile capabilities, enhancing border electronic jamming capabilities.

The most important strike action will be carried out by the Rafale aircraft. With the S-400 and S-500 long-range air defense missile systems providing coverage over a vast airspace, the Rafale aircraft will launch a missile rain attack on Pakistan, including the "SCALP-EG" long-range cruise missile, "Hammer" precision-guided bombs, and even the BrahMos supersonic missile.

India has even developed the Rudram anti-radiation missile, which is intended to suppress Pakistan's HQ-9B and HQ-16 air defense missile systems. The Indian Air Force's smart anti-airfield weapons are prepared to strike the runways of Pakistan's J-10 aircraft first.

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Indian Air Force Plans a Combination Punch

The Indian Air Force is planning to deliver a combination punch. Currently, the Indian Air Force has approximately 31 squadrons. The Indian military believes that to maintain forces simultaneously on the China-India border and the India-Pakistan border, it needs 42 fighter squadrons.

The Indian military requires the first step to be to procure the fastest arriving Rafale fighter jets, the second step to be to procure the Russian Su-57E stealth fighter jets, and finally to complete the indigenous AMC stealth fighter jets.

The Indian military stated that purchasing 114 Rafale fighters (7 squadrons) would cost 2 billion US dollars. This is not only a military need but also a strategic requirement. The Indian Air Force claims that the Rafale provides India with unparalleled air combat, deep-strike, electronic warfare, maritime interception, and anti-ship combat capabilities.

To be honest, India currently can only buy the most advanced fighter jet, which is the Rafale. The Russian Su-57E stealth fighter jet has no production line, and its capacity is very low, producing only five or six units per year.

The American F-16V fighter jet has performance similar to the Rafale, but the United States is unlikely to sell the F-35 stealth fighter jet to India. U.S. arms sales come with a lot of conditions, and the most advanced fighter jet India can get is the Rafale, with no other options available.

France is a declining second or third-rate power, and now French weapons are of second-rate level. Because the United States only sells high-end weapons to its allies, French aircraft are sold to countries that cannot afford American goods.

In addition, France relies on services such as not attaching political conditions and bribing procurement countries to eat the leftovers that the U.S. military industry looks down upon.

Pakistan's J-35A fighter jet is also a target. Our strong entire combat system, how do the early warning aircraft search, how do the data links transmit, how does the command system automatically assign tasks, and guide with high precision. How do the satellites predict enemy actions. These are all integrated systems, not just a few Rafale fighter jets that can counteract.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7539443887677391406/

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