INDUCTION OF A GAME CHANGER INTO THE IAF

Induction of the fleet of Rafale fighter jets will bring about a paradigm shift in the combat potential of the Indian Air Force

- AIR MARSHAL B.K. PANDEY (RETD)

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 WAS INDEED A RED LETTER DAY FOR the Indian Air Force (IAF) when the first five Rafale jets out of the total order of 36 placed on the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, were formally inducted into No. 17 Squadron. This squadron with a prestigious record is christened as “Golden Arrows” and is based at Air Force Station, Ambala. The remaining 31 aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2022 in batches of four arriving in India every two months. The air base at Ambala was established by the Royal Air Force of Britain more than 100 years ago and has always been a major air base for the combat aircraft fleets of the IAF as well. It was at this air base that the Anglo-French Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft that was inducted in the mid-1980s, was located. The air base at Ambala has played a major role in all the wars that the IAF has been involved in with the Western neighbour, the most recent one being the conflict in Kargil in 1999.

Equipped with the most advanced radar and avionics, the Rafale jet is capable of delivering a wide range of weapons including the deadly Scalp and Meteor missile systems. With the attributes it is endowed with an omni-role capability, the Rafale jet is categorised as a fourth plus generation aircraft. It has been acknowledged to be one of the most advanced and versatile combat jet in service with the French Air Force as also a few other air forces in the world today. For the IAF it will certainly be the most lethal combat platform in its inventory as of date. It is opined that the induction of this fleet of fighter jets will bring about a paradigm shift in the combat potential of the IAF as well. In fact it has appropriately been described as a “game changer”.