The Dassault Rafale is a fourth generation multirole fighter aircraft that was developed through the 1990s and early 2000s by France's Dassault Aviation. It is considered among the most advanced fighter
The Dassault Rafale is a fourth generation 'omnirole' fighter aircraft that was developed through the 1990s and early 2000s by France's Dassault Aviation. It is considered among the most advanced fighter jets in the world. The Rafale was first inducted into service by the French military in both its Air Force and Navy.
The Dassault Rafale name literally means 'a gust of wind' and a burst of fire' in a more military sense. Rafale jet is a French twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. This twin-engine aircraft is equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.
1. Twin-Engine fighter aircraft
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The Rafale is a twin-engine fighter that is capable of carrying out multiple kinds of missions. It shares a number of similarities with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
2. METEOR long-range air-to-air missile
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Rafale and the Typhoon had a common start before France broke away from the grouping of other European nations that had come together to design and manufacture a new-age fighter.
3. Laser-guided bombs
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The Rafale has been under consideration by the Indian Air Force for well over a decade in what came to be known as the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition.
4. AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missile
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India finally signed a deal to buy 36 of the fighters - which amounts to two squadrons - in a fly-away condition during PM Narendra Modi's visit to France in 2016 (please check year).
5. HAMMER: Highly Agile and Maneuverable Munition Extended Range
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India's original requirement was envisaged at 126 of the aircraft.
6. Stores management system is Mil-Std-1760 compliant
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Other aircraft that came close to the final reckoning of the Indian government and aircraft were the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Saab Gripen.
(All Photo Credits: Dassault Aviation)
