Modi govt to teach strong lesson to coward Pakistan, India set to sign a big deal in…, plan is to acquire…
India-Pakistan war: Amidst the fears of a full-blown India-Pakistan war following the heinous Pahalgam terror attack earlier this week, the Indian Navy is set to acquire a fleet of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets, providing a major boost to India’s air superiority in South Asia. As per reports, India and France are expected to sign their largest-ever defence deal for the sale of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy during the visit of French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu on April 28.
Largest defence deal in India’s history
Citing defence sources, an ANI report said the defence contract worth Rs 63,000 crore will signed between the two sides at an event which will be held outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block. The French Defence Minister is expected to reach India on Sunday evening and return on Monday late evening, the report said.
Earlier this month, the Cabinet Committee on Security led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi leared the largest-ever defence deal in the India’s history for 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft with France. According to details, the government-to-government deal will include 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets, along with a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous component manufacturing.
The Rafale M fighter jets will be deployed on the INS Vikrant and provide support to the Navy’s existing Mig-29 K fleet aboard the warship, providing an edge to the Indian Navy in maritime and aerial warfare, in case a full-scale India-Pakistan war breaks out.
Rafale M capabilities
Developed and manufactured by French Defence manufacturer Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-M is a lightweight multirole fighter jet, weighing around 15,000 kg, and able to carry 11,202 kgs of fuel. The Rafale-M is capable of long flights at speeds of up to 2205 km/hr, and a range of 3700 km.
The advanced fighter jet can fly at altitudes of over 52,000 feet, and boasts advanced offensive capabilities, including a 30 mm autocannon, and 14 hardpoints, where it can carry three types of air-to-air missiles, seven types of air-to-surface missiles, one nuclear-capable missile.
The combat plane is equipped with an AESA radar for target detection and tracking, an also boasts Spectra electronic warfare system to enhance stealth capabilities. According to experts, the Rafale-M fighter, which is designed for anti-ship warfare, will significantly boost the maritime strength of the Indian Navy as it can be used to carry out various types of missions including surveillance, espionage, and air superiority.
The Rafale Marine fighter jet can be equipped with precision guided bombs and missiles such as Meteor, Scalp or Exosat, making it a deadly proponent in aerial warfare, experts say.
Rafale M will give India edge in Indo-Pacific
Notably, India and China are the only South Asian nations which have an aircraft carrier, and this spells trouble for Pakistan in case of a full-scale conflict in the Indo-Pacific region, as Indian Navy could theoretically deploy these warplanes to bomb major population centres like Karachi, within minutes.
The Chinese-made fourth-generation J-10 and J-15 fighter jets are the primary warplanes of the Pakistan Army, and Rafale M, a 4.5 generation combat aircraft, is more advanced than both these fighter planes. While China has already developed fifth generation J-20 fighter jets, they have been inducted in the Chinese Navy yet, nor sold to Pakistan.
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