IAF well-positioned to take on China: Air Chief Bhadauria

New Delhi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is “well-positioned” to take on China in the event of a conflict in Ladakh, where tensions have been running high since May following the incursion of PLA troops in the area, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, said on October 5, adding it was prepared for any kind of situation in which a conflict might erupt.

“We are very well-positioned. There is no question that in case of any conflict, China can get the better of us,” he told newsmen ahead of the 88th anniversary parade of the IAF on October 8.

“There is no doubt of our capability and intent,” he said, adding: “We are prepared for any conflict and any kind of situation…the focus is always on preparedness.”

During the press conference, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including the benefits that had accrued from the induction of women across the board, including in the fighter stream, and the fact that the IAF now had the highest airlift capability in the region with its C-17, C-130J Super Hercules and Il-76 aircraft.

He also spoke of the proactive steps IAF has been taking to protect its networks from cyber threats.

A short film screened on the occasion laid emphasis on how the IAF was increasingly relying on indigenous home-grown technology with its professionally highly-motivated manpower.

“Over the years, we have evolved from a tactical force to a strategic one. We are ready to handle any contingency,” he said, adding: “We have developed a robust capability to fight across the entire spectrum of warfare…Our vision is to continue to scale up our combat capabilities and credibility as a force to reckon with through modernisation and operational training and substantially increase indigenous equipment.

“Our deployment of assets in the north is indicative of our operational capability today. We have supported the Indian Army in the rapid mobilisation of troops and equipment to the operational areas to face an adversary in strength. Combined with the capabilities of our current fighter fleet, it gives us the capability to strike even harder,” he asserted.

“Not only Ladakh; Ladakh is a small area and that’s a very small portion of our deployment…we have deployed to all relevant and required areas…I can’t go into details but be rest assured that we have deployed for any contingency.

“There is no question of not taking on the threat (from China)…we are very much (on top of the situation). There is no question that in the case of any conflict there will be any deficiency,” Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria maintained.

At the same time, he indicated that it could be a long haul ahead in Ladakh.

“Talks on disengagement are on and we do hope the talks will progress along the lines expected. The current progress is slow…what we see is an effort to prepare for the winter, with the requirement of the forces on the ground…so it is largely dependant on how the talks progress. The whole focus is currently on the talks and we hope they will move in the right direction. Our further action will depend on the ground realities,” he said.

Noting that “substantial measures are underway to increase capabilities against the adversaries in the coming years”, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said: “We have operationalised newly-inducted assets and integrated them with the existing capabilities in record time.”

“In the next three years we will see the LCA (indigenous Light Combat Aircraft) operating at full strength (of 83 aircraft) along with SU-30s and MiG-29s that are being added to the current fleet along with sufficient upgrades of Jaguars and Mirage 2000 that will add substantially not only to the operational capability of the fleet itself but to our overall capability,” he said.

“Modernisation is a continuous process to increase operational capability…with the induction of state-of-the-art modern equipment as well as simultaneously upgrading existing systems” in line with the Atamnirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

Asked if there would be a follow-on order for the omni-role Rafale combat aircraft, 36 of which have been ordered from France of which five were inducted in the IAF on September 10, he said if at all that were to be happen, it would be a prolonged process.

“Five are already here; in October or November, will get three or four more…this will be a regular affair, every few months or two to three months, depending on the situation, we will get two to three aircraft.

“At the moment, the concentration is on the LCA, then the MRCA (Multirole Combat Aircraft, 114 of which are envisaged) and then, more Rafales or MRCAs. This entire project is under discussion and, as and when the picture becomes clear, we will move forward,” the IAF chief said.

Asked whether this would translate into 40 squadrons by the end of the decade, he felt a more realistic figure would be 37 squadrons.

“Overall, I would say we are going in the right direction and will continue to be counted among the top air forces in the times to come,” he said.

He also said the IAF had “benefited tremendously with the induction of women officers….across the board. Women officers have been accepted for permanent commissions and are leaders in their various fields, in combat and combat-support roles. Whatever roles there are – fighters, helicopters, transports – they are already inducted”.

IAF’s Rafale to make public debut on Air Force Day on Thursday

New Delhi. The newly-acquired fourth generation Rafale omni-role combat aircraft is to make its public debut at the 88th anniversary parade of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday, an official statement said on October 5.

Five Rafale’s were inducted in the IAF on September 10 but only one of them will feature in the flypast that will mark the culmination of the parade at the Hindon Air Base on the outskirts of the national capital. The Rafale will, in all likelihood lead the flypast, that will showcase the various aircraft in the IAF fleet.

The IAF will progressively induct the 36 Rafale’s it has purchased from France and another five are expected to arrive at the Ambala Air Base, where the first squadron of the combat jet, designated the Golden Arrows, is based.

IAF gets Rafale MMRCA

The newly inducted Rafale Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCAs) are the flavour of the season. The public shares IAF’s joy, and Indian TV channels seem empowered with the news of their arrival to take off and bomb the hell out of anyone!

Rafale is indeed a great aircraft, the best in the region and among the best in the world. Its Electronic Warfare (EW) suites and radars and weapons, made by Thales and MBDA, are formidable. IAF has been waiting for the capability of this aircraft for more than 20 years, and its landing at IAF’s Ambala airbase this month couldn’t have had a better timing, given the aggressive manoeuvres by China and Pakistan.

Although only five Rafales have arrived so far, the manufacturer, French Dassault Aviation, with engine-maker Safran, is delivering one aircraft every month, and an adequate supply of weapons and spares have already been stocked in India.

Unfortunately, for itself and the world, China has triggered war-like tensions with all its neighbours, barring Pakistan and North Korea. There have been violent incursions into Indian territory or some unmarked areas where there was peace for decades.

For the first time in years, the Indian armed forces are geared in counter build-up, to hit the aggressor hard, and the proud Indian soldiers have demonstrated their resolve effectively. The Chinese do not disclose their casualties but in one case, a 23-year old Indian soldier from Punjab killed 12 of them in physical fights despite being attacked with barbaric, medieval nail-studded batons.

Rafales, whose pilots completed their training in simulated Himalayan territory in France itself, got into operational sorties immediately after their arrival, and have been patrolling along the borders teaming with other IAF aircraft like the Su 30 MKI and Mig 29. Notably, the Su 30MKI has also been equipped with MBDA’s air-to-air MICA missile, the standard on the Rafale. All the Indian aircraft, combat or transport, can talk to each other, thanks to the networking that IAF has evolved over the years.

It is significant to note that fighter jets need backup in supplies, and so do the Army, IAF and Naval units and personnel. IAF already has the huge C 17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, ferrying tanks and artillery guns to the border for the last several months. The great thing about this Boeing aircraft, and also about the Lockheed Martin’s C 130J Special Ops transport aircraft, is that both these can land in a grassy patch the size of a football ground even in a battle zone.

Then, IAF also has Boeing’s twin-rotor Chinook heavy lift helicopter and Apache Attack helicopter. All these, teamed with the Indian Navy’s P 8I multi mission Intelligence aircraft, have given our forces a formidable, new capability. Mind it, IAF retains the heavy lift capability of the good old 1980s-generation Russian Il 76 airlifter and another 100 of the smaller, workhorse AN 32s.

Our forces are Great. With Rafale, and with other aircraft and equipment, we will take on the aggressors the way they should be. The command is: Delete the Enemy.

–Gulshan Rai Luthra

Greece to Acquire 18 Rafale Jet Fighters to boost its Air Power

Amidst heightening tension with its Mediterranean neighbour Turkey, Greece has decided to acquire18 Rafale jet fighters from French Dassault to beef up its air power. The official announcement was made by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on September 12.

According to reports from Paris, talks between the French and Greek governments are at an advanced stage for a contract to be signed soon. The acquisition will see the Hellenic Air Force add a brand new Rafale squadron to their existing fleet of Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcons, Dassault Mirage 2000s and the ageing McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantoms. 

In addition to the acquisition of 18 Rafales, 10 Mirage 2000s are planned to be upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 standard. Athens had ordered 40 Mirage 2000s in 1985, and 15 Mirage 2000-5s in 2000.

“I am delighted with this announcement, which reinforces the exceptional relationship we have had with Greece for nearly half a century, and I thank the Greek authorities for their confidence in us once again,” says Eric Trappier, chairman and chief executive of Dassault Aviation.

“Dassault Aviation is fully mobilised to meet the operational needs expressed by the Greek air force, and thus contribute to ensuring Greece’s sovereignty and the safety of the Greek people”, he added.

The mainstay of the Greek air force is a fleet of 114 Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds, out of which it plans to upgrade 80+ jets to F-16V standard. This will see the jets receive an active electronically scanned array radar in the form of the Northrop Grumman APG-83, which offers a number of improvements including greater detection and tracking ranges, interleaved air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, and improved EW protection.

However, Rafales will take Hellenic Air Force’s air combat capability to a new level.

Notably, apart from the home country’s French Air Force/Navy operating the Rafale fighters, Greece would be the 4th country to receive the Rafale fighters after it was selected by India in January 2012 after a gruelling competition involving six fighter aircraft: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-21, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Incidentally, even though India was the first country to select the French fighter, the first export order received by Dassault was from Egypt which on February 16, 2015, became the Rafale’s first international customer when it officially placed an order for 24 Rafales, valued at Euro 5.2 billion.

Qatar was the second country to sign a Euro 6.3 billion-deal for 24 Rafales, with an option for 12 more. The deal apart from the aircraft, included long-range air-to-air and air-to-air missiles, as also training for 36 Qatari pilots, 100 technical personnel and unspecified number of intelligence officers.

India, while it opened up doors for the export of Rafales – which the French Dassault had been trying for a long time – finally signed the deal on September 23, 2016 for 36 Rafales – with an option for 18 more at the same inflation-adjusted price – for Euro 7.8 billion. The deal also included training of a specified number of air and ground crew, maintenance support and acquisition of advanced weapons such as the Meteor BVR air-to-air missiles and SCALP air-to-surface missiles.

With the border tensions increasing with China in its Ladakh sector, India may be considering purchase of additional 36 aircraft to form two more Rafale squadrons. The move would also help Indian Air Force (IAF) to build up its flagging combat aircraft squadrons’ strength.

The first batch of five Rafales (3 single-seat and 2 twin-seat), flown by IAF pilots touched down at IAF’s Ambala airbase on July 29, 2020. While the formal induction ceremony took place September 10, No. 17 Squadron, ‘Golden arrows’ – the first IAF squadron to receive the Rafales – had hit the ground running from ‘Day 1’ with consolidation exercises to be ready for any operational eventuality, in the quickest possible time.

Notably, the Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria by the French Air Force (FAF).

Acquisition of Rafales by Greece could prove to be a challenge for its archrival Turkey whose S-300/400 AD system, even though formidable it its own right, could be outwitted by the French 4th Gen+ fighter with its long-range precision strike weapons. A similar situation could also obtain in a possible Sino-Indian military scenario.

In major overhaul, India does away with offsets in G2G deals

New Delhi. A decade-and-a-half after making offsets mandatory in all major defence deals, Indian has shelved this provision for future government-to-government contracts, like that for the Rs.59,000 crore ($9 billion) purchase of 36 omni-role Dasault Rafale combat jets from France, with an official admitting that “these are not working”.

We removed some of the offset requirements as they are not working. From now on there will be no offset clause in government-to-government, single vendor and IGAs,” Director General Acquisition Apurva Chandra told the media on September 28 soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP) 2020.

Offsets entails the transfer of high-end technology to boost the level of the domestic industry and issues like costs, economies of scale and India’s policy on the export of military hardware, which currently restricts this to the non-lethal variety.

At the bottom line, is not only the capability of the Indian industry to absorb and leverage this high-end technology but also the manner in which a behemoth like the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that would be responsible for translating the benefits from the offsets on the ground has been playing footsie with the international players that would be transferring such technology.

The first test, in fact, had come soon after the offsets clause of ploughing back 30 per cent of the value of high-end deals was introduced and made applicable to an Indian Air Force (IAF) tender floated in 2007 for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) , with 18 to be purchased in fly-away condition and the remaining 108 to be manufactured by HAL under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement. (In this case, the value of the offsets was raised to 50 per cent.)

Six aircraft were in the fray and after a torturous process of trials, the Rafale had emerged on top in 2012. Price negotiations commenced but collapsed on a clause for the responsibility for the aircraft to be manufactured in India. Rather speciously, HAL insisted that while it would be manufacturing the aircraft in India, the responsibility for their performance would rest with Dasault!

Quite naturally, Dasault flatly turned this down, leading to the collapse of the tender. Then, during a state visit to France in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would be purchasing 36 Rafales in a fly-away condition under a G2G deal. The first five arrived in late July 2020, with another lot expected in October and final deliveries are to be completed by 2021. There is obviously an offset clause but this appears to be of a “bankable” variety since there is no manufacture involved and the obligation could be fulfilled in other areas of military hardware at a later date.

This came in for adverse comments last week, with the government auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) noting that no transfer of technology of any kind had taken place by either Dasault or the weapons’ supplier MBDA.

For instance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the channeling agency for the offsets, “wanted technical assistance for the indigenous development of the (Kaveri) engine for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA it had developed)” but till date “the vendor has not confirmed the transfer of this technology”, the CAG report tabled in Parliament said.

Days later came the announcement that the offset clause had been waived for future G2G deals and would only apply to deals signed after competitive bidding.

On paper, the MMRCA tender has been refloated but there is no clarity on the numbers now involved, even though there are suggestions that there would be a follow-on order once the delivery of the 36 Rafales is completed. So, in reality, it is back to square one when the offsets clause was first introduced.

There is also the question of costs, with a senior Defence Ministry official admitting when the IAF tender was floated that this would rise due to the offsets clause.

“It’s like this. If you are paying me x amount and I have to plough back 30 to 50 percent, this obviously cannot eat into my bottom line and would have to be factored in, thus raising the overall cost,” the official had explained, cutting through the jargon that such discussions normally entail.

There are other practical issues involved, for instance economies of scale.

“I have an order for manufacturing 100 aircraft, so I either retool the existing facilities or set up a whole new plant (one US manufacturer had in fact offered to relocate its entire plant that manufactured a jet that was in contention for the IAF tender). What happens after I have made the 100 aircraft? I can’t just shut down the plant; I have to continue manufacturing. Let’s say the IAF does not require the additional aircraft. The only way out is exports but I can’t do this in the present environment because India permits only the export of non-lethal military hardware,” the official explained.

Per se, there can be no denying the benefits of offsets but the manner in which they are implemented has to be carefully thought through. But, given the inability of India’s manufacturing industry to absorb high-end technology, HAL being a classic example, bankable offsets that are implemented at a later or in non-defence areas of industry, seems to be the only way out – even though this is the second step of the process.

But even here, there are pitfalls, as a noted expert in India’s defence acquisition regime, Major General Mrinal Suman (retd), pointed out in an article in the USI Journal of think tank United Services Institute put it way back in 2007:

“Offset banking is a highly complex affair needing elaborate organisational setup with a dedicated expert agency. Unless handled with due care and caution, there is a likelihood of the country being taken in by clued-up vendors. Instead of economic gains, India may get saddled with infructuous and wasteful activities. Besides, it may give rise to unscrupulous dealings with consequent trading of charges. India must, therefore, tread warily and exercise due caution while considering introduction of offset banking.”

Fifteen years down the line, the situation remains much the same.

Greece to acquire 18 Rafale Jet Fighters to boost its Air Power

Amidst heightening tension with its Mediterranean neighbour Turkey, Greece has decided to acquire18 Rafale jet fighters from French Dassault to beef up its air power. The official announcement was made by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on September 12.

Talks between the French and Greek governments are at an advanced stage for a contract to be signed soon. The acquisition will see the Hellenic Air Force add a brand new Rafale squadron to their existing fleet of Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcons, Dassault Mirage 2000s and the ageing McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantoms.

In addition to the acquisition of 18 Rafales, 10 Mirage 2000s are planned to be upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 standard. Athens had ordered 40 Mirage 2000s in 1985, and 15 Mirage 2000-5s in 2000.

“I am delighted with this announcement, which reinforces the exceptional relationship we have had with Greece for nearly half a century, and I thank the Greek authorities for their confidence in us once again,” says Eric Trappier, chairman and chief executive of Dassault Aviation.

“Dassault Aviation is fully mobilised to meet the operational needs expressed by the Greek air force, and thus contribute to ensuring Greece’s sovereignty and the safety of the Greek people”, he added.

The mainstay of the Greek air force is a fleet of 114 Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds, out of which it plans to upgrade 80+ jets to F-16V standard. This will see the jets receive an active electronically scanned array radar in the form of the Northrop Grumman APG-83, which offers a number of improvements including greater detection and tracking ranges, interleaved air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, and improved EW protection.

However, Rafales will take Hellenic Air Force’s air combat capability to a new level.

Notably, apart from the home country’s French Air Force/Navy operating the Rafale fighters, Greece would be the 4th country to receive the Rafale fighters after it was selected by India in January 2012 after a gruelling competition involving six fighter aircraft: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-21, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Incidentally, even though India was the first country to select the French fighter, the first export order received by Dassault was from Egypt which on February 16, 2015, became the Rafale’s first international customer when it officially placed an order for 24 Rafales, valued at Euro 5.2 billion.

Qatar was the second country to sign a Euro 6.3 billion-deal for 24 Rafales, with an option for 12 more. The deal apart from the aircraft, included long-range air-to-air and air-to-air missiles, as also 36 Qatari pilots, 100 technical personnel and unspecified number of intelligence officers.

India, while it opened up doors for the export of Rafales – which the French Dassault had been trying for a long time – finally signed the deal on September 23, 2016 for 36 Rafales – with an option for 18 more at the same inflation-adjusted price – for Euro 7.8 billion. The deal also included training of a specified number of air and ground crew, maintenance support and acquisition of advanced weapons such as the Meteor BVR air-to-air missiles and SCALP air-to-surface missiles.

With the border tensions increasing with China in its Ladakh sector, India may be considering purchase of additional 36 aircraft to form two more Rafale squadrons. The move would also help Indian Air Force (IAF) to build up its flagging combat aircraft squadrons’ strength.

The first batch of five Rafales (3 single-seat and 2 twin-seat), flown by IAF pilots touched down at IAF’s Ambala airbase on July 29, 2020. While the formal induction ceremony took place September 10, No. 17 Squadron, ‘Golden arrows’ – the first IAF squadron to receive the Rafales – had hit the ground running from ‘Day 1’ with consolidation exercises to be ready for any operational eventuality, in the quickest possible time.

Notably, the Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria by the French Air Force (FAF).

Acquisition of Rafales by Greece could prove to be a challenge for its archrival Turkey whose S-300/400 AD system, even though formidable it its own right, could be outwitted by the French 4th Gen+ fighter with its long-range precision strike weapons. A similar situation could also obtain in a possible Sino-Indian military scenario.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and Dassault Rafale

F-35 and Rafale

Let's have a look at some specifications of these jets first. F-35 was first introduced in 2015. 35 jets of all variants have been built so far with per unit cost of $ 85 m for F-35a. Operated by crew of 1, the Aircraft's empty weight is 29,000 lb with maximum take-off weight at 70,000 pounds. The jet is powered by a single Jet engine producing 43,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft's top speed is 1,200 mph with maximum range of 1,380 miles. The combat radius of the fighter jet is around 874 miles. The aircraft comes with 6 external Hard points and two internal bays. The jet is armed with 25 mm rotary cannon with 180 rounds. 

Comparison between F-35 and Rafale

On the other hand, Rafale was first rolled out in 2001. Around 164 jets have been built so far. Per unit cost of the aircraft is around $70M. Operated by a crew of 1, the aircraft comes in at weight of 21,720 lb with maximum take-off weight around 54,000 pounds. The aircraft is powered by 2 turbo fan engines generating 33,720 pounds of thrust combined. The jet can reach at top speed of 1,188 mph with maximum range of 2,299 miles. The combat radius of the aircraft is 1,151miles. The fighter jet is equipped with 14 Hard points in addition to a 30 mm auto cannon with 125 rounds. 

F-35 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbo fan engine, which produces 43,000 pounds of thrust with full after burner. The aircraft can fly at top speed of Mach 1.6. The jet has combat radius of 770 miles. The aircraft's service ceiling is more than 50,000 feet. However, the rate of climb of the jet is classified. On the other hand, Rafale is powered by 2 after burning turbo fan engines generating 33,720 pounds of thrust combined. With the help of these engines, the jet can gain top speed of Mach 1.8. The aircraft has combat radius of 1,151 miles. The jet has the service ceiling of 50,000 feet with rate of climb around 1000 ft/s. With smaller wings and inferior thrust to weight ratio the early F-35 pilots found it nearly impossible to even engage with F-16. Since then Lockheed Martin worked with pilot straining and changed configuration of the jet. This resulted in increased turn rate, tighter turning radius and improved nose pointing ability at low speed. 

F-35 has the ability to slow down during aturn and has excellent post stall recovery. In contrast, Rafale has lead in this category. The aircraft has 9 Gs maneuverability with a high angle of attack. Canard wings are used to improve maneuverability. The aircraft is also aerodynamically clean with two wing tip missiles. Close coupled delta canard wings offer significantly higher maximum lift. The fighter jet has good post stall maneuverabilityas well. 

The F-35 has been designed to have a low radar cross section with the help of aircraft shapeand the use of stealthy radar absorbent materials. Stealth gives F-35 the ability to elude orgreatly complicate an enemy's ability to find and destroy an aircraft using a combination of design, tactics and technology. 

The stealth capabilities in the F-35 are unprecedentedin military aviation. For perspective, F-35's radar cross sectionis 0.005 to 0.3 m2, which is about the size of a golf ball. On the other hand, Rafale is not a full aspects related aircraft. However, the jet was designed for  reduced radar cross section and infrared signature. The fighter jet has RCS of 0.5 to 2 m2 . The aircraft has reduced RCS due to its smaller tail fin, compact fuselage, engine air inletsand extensive use of composite materials. 70% of the jet's surface area is made with composite materials. 

However, many of the features designed toreduce the visibility to threats, remain classified. F-35 has the most advance radar and communications suite built to date. It will also be the first fighter to possess a satellite-linked communications capability. F-35's advanced sensor fusion enables pilots to draw on information from all of their on-board sensors to create a single integrated picture of the battlefield. All of the information gathered is then automatically send with other pilots and the base as well. F-35 is equipped with most advance APG-81 radar used in any American aircraft to date. 

The radar is designed to enable F-35 pilot to track at distance over 143 mi with locking distance of 93 miles. The aircraft is equipped with Distributed Aperture and Electro optical targeting system. The jet's Helmet Mounted Display System provides pilot with unprecedented situational awareness. The information is projected on helmet's visor which includes air speed, heading, altitude, targeting information and warnings. 

In contrast, Rafale is equipped withpassive electronically scanned multi-mode radar. Which is capable to achieve increased level of situational awareness through the earlier target detection. The radar projects real time 3D maps for terrain following and high resolution ground maps for navigation and targeting. The radar can detect at range of 124 miles. To enable the jet to perform in the air supremacyrole, it includes several passive sensor systems. The front sector electro optical system is completely integrated within the aircraft and can operate both in visible and infrared wave lengths. This sensor enables the deployment of infrared missiles at beyond visual range distances. it can also be used for detecting and identifying airborne, ground and sea targets. 

Both fighter jets are equally equipped with beyond and within visual range weaponry. F-35 is armed with an internally mounted 25mm equalizer gun with 182 rounds in addition to an external pod with 220 rounds. The aircraft has two internal bays and 6 external hard points with weapon payload of 9 tons. The two outer hard points can carry Aim-9xsidewinder and AIM-132 short range air to air missiles. The other pylons can carry AIM 120 missile, Joint Air to surface standoff missile and guided bombs. 

The external pylons can carry missiles, bombs and external fuel tanks. There are total four weapons stations between the two internal bays. Two of these can carry air to surface missiles or bombs. The other two stations are for smaller weapons. The jet will be armed with solid state lasers,which can burn enemy missiles and other aircraft out of the sky. The aircraft will also carry hypersonic missile. On the other hand, Rafale can carry payloads of more than 9 tons on its 14 hard points. The range of weapons includes air to air,air to ground, air to sea, guided and unguided bombs. For a strategic mission the jet can deliver storm Shadow standoff nuclear missile. The aircraft can also carry Meteor beyond visual range air to air missile. The jet can fire precision guided bomb, which has both GPS and inertial guidance. The aircraft has a twin gun pod and Nexter 30mm cannon, which can fire 2,500 rounds a minute. The jet is equipped with laser designation pods for laser guidance of air to ground missiles. 

Overall F-35 is a better aircraft but there are lot of technical problems before it is fully operational. F-35 is stealth plane which is it's main advantage. Both Planes almost uses same range of weaponry. F-35 has slightly better radar with excellent sensors and avionics suite. But in most of the scenarios F-35 will detect Rafale first due to its lower RCS, better radar and capable sensors. But in close 1 on 1 fight F-35 doesn't stand a chance against Rafale due to its better maneuverability and better thrust to weight ratio. However, with the advent of helmet mounted display and high off bore sight missiles, the maneuverability advantage has greatly diminished. 

India as a nuclear Triad

India commission INS Arihant in 2008,India completed the nuclear triad. Nuclear triad means capability of a state to launch a nuclear offensive from air, land and water (triad). The Indian Army has nuclear arsenal of ICBM category which ranges from Agni, Prithvi to Shaurya missiles. The Force uses Sukhoi-03 MKI, Jaguar and Rafale (once inducted later) for carrying nuclear weapons. Te Indian Navy has commissioned INS Arihant, designed on Russian Akula-1 class model, called as Shin Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN). India is the sixth country in the world (after permanent five members of the UNSC) to acquire the triad capability. By 2022, a fleet of four submarines named INS Arighat will join the fleet of Arihant.

                              Ins Arihant

However, there is a debate about the deterrence capability of INS Arihant. The government has not released any data, but as per various reports, there is a K-15 missile with a range of 750 km on board. If this is the case, then using it against China or Pakistan does not make sense as in such a short range, it needs to be deployed very close to their waters, making SSBN a target. A report says that India is developing a 3,500-km-range K4 missile, but Arihant does not have capability to carry it. India would need S4 and S-5 SSBN for K4 (3,500 km range) missile. The INS Arihant was developed by India in response to the Chinese nuclear-powered Jin class (JL-2 missiles) submarines. They have been visiting the Indian Ocean on the pretext of anti-piracy operations, raising alarm bells in India. Arihant will now sharpen the competition between powers in the Indian Ocean. Pakistan will seek Chinese help to build submarines. Coupled with Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, revival of the Quad of Democracies, it will only affect regional strategic stability and engender security dilemma. In complete absence of a nuclear level confidence building measures between India, China and Pakistan, it will only complicate the problem of strategic stability in the future.

It is important to remember that the INS Arihant has assured that India now possess a second strike capability (as t is impregnable against adversaries missile attack) and its development and induction has successfully ensured that it has followed what it stated in its nuclear doctrine, that is, build credible nuclear deterrent. It has finally ended the nuclear blackmail India is subjected to by its adversaries. The success of induction of Arihant signifies Indian mastery of complex systems and procedures that are entailed in operating a sea leg of the triad. The triad is a testimony to the technological prowess of India.

The main advantage of a nuclear-powered submarine, in contrast to a diesel-powered submarine, is that SSBN does not require battery charges and can operate underwater for a long period of time. If during a nuclear strike the adversary decapitates the air and land forces, then SSBN can be the opportunity of the last resort. The issue in Arihant is that the crew in the submarine is given the responsibility of the weapons on board with powers to launch them at a short notice if needed, which according to some weakens the civilian control of nuclear weapons in India. The Indian SSBN is designed with electronic switches called 'permissive action links', but still the ambiguity remains. However, it is important to remember that India remains committed to a verifiable, global, non-discriminatory disarmament and a nuclear weapons-free world. But, till the time nuclear weapons remain in the world, India will continue to use its deterrent capabilities for 'credible deterrence'. It is true that large military and nuclear capabilities cannot bequeath India with a tag of a 'Great Power', but a grand strategic vision that amalgamates military power with a doctrine of national security can advance its march towards such a status certainly.