Dassault Rafale Vs Stealth Fighter Aircraft:
Development of European Rafale/Eurofighter was started at approximately same time as the development of stealth fighter aircraft like American F22/F35, Chinese J20/J31 and Russian T50. However, the Europeans opted for development of non-stealthy aircraft but Dassault still insists that Rafale is a competitor for F35. Against something like Rafale/Su-30MKI,
5th generation stealth fighter aircraft have certain disadvantages -
1) Stealth aircraft can carry only 1.5 to 2 tonnes of bombs or missiles inside internal weapons bay. You can carry more weapons (additional 6 tonnes) on external hardpoints, but when you do that, the stealth aircraft becomes non-stealthy. Basically, in our context, the Chinese stealthy J20/J31 can fire only 4 missiles - and after that, the aircraft has to disengage and go home unarmed - and possibly chased by Indian fighter aircraft.
2) To remain stealthy, a stealth aircraft like J31/J20 needs to switch off its radar and sneak up on a Rafale/Su-30MKI - guided by an AWACS or some other fighter aircraft. Such support might not be available all the time in the battlefield. Sure, IRST system can be used, but then both the system and infra-red homing missiles have limited range. This means the stealth aircraft has to get very close to Su-30MKI/Rafale (and risk being shot down)
3) Western stealth aircrafts like F-35 are approximately 50% more expensive than non-stealthy Western aircraft like Rafale/Eurofighter. Also, Stealth aircraft like F-35 has 3 times higher per hour flying cost ($45,000 per hour) than Rafale/Su-30MKI ($15,000 per hour)
4) Except for F22 Raptor & Sukhoi T50, stealthy fighter aircraft do not have great manoeuvrability. That's because the aircraft's primary design requirement is reduced radar signature, rather than agility. Rafale once managed to kill even the $250 million F22 Raptor in
mock combat.
5) Stealthy aircraft can be detected using
low frequency radar. Russia claims S-400 air defense system (which India has ordered) can not only detect a stealth aircraft, but also shoot it down. Stealthy aircraft are neither invisible nor invincible. In 1999 Kosovo War, the Serbians managed to
shoot down stealthy F117 Nighthawk with S-125 air defence system, which is based on 1970's radar and missile technology
Having said that, having a few stealthy aircraft among a large number of non-stealthy aircraft can make a huge difference. When it comes to air battles, tactics and strategy is key - it's not all about individual fighter aircraft's or pilot's capabilities.
Rafale Vs Eurofighter Typhoon
In the Indian MMRCA competition, only Rafale & Eurofighter made it to the "finals". After evaluation, IAF technical team voted for Rafale as the winner. This evaluation concurs with Swiss Air Force analysis too. In 2008, Swiss Air Force evaluated Rafale, Eurofighter and Gripen and eventually recommended Rafale. This report was somehow
leaked to a Swiss newspaper in 2012
Rafale has significant advantages over Eurofighter in reconnaissance and air to ground missions. Eurofighter is competent in air to air missions, but still not as good as the Rafale. Quoting from Swiss Air Force report -
Quote:
Among the three candidates, Rafale was the aircraft which demonstrated the best effectiveness and suitability in accomplishment of all types of air-to-air missions, Recce and Strike missions. In addition, Rafale made the best impressions among the pilots. The strong points of Rafale were quality of its sensors such as AESA Radar, Infrared Search & Track system and EW suite SPECTRA. The good data fusion of all its sensors allowed to provide the pilot a very good situational awareness. The Recce pod demonstrated outstanding performance. The Rafale is recommended to be the new fighter aircraft for the Swiss Air Force.
|
Kahaani Mein Twist: The politicians in Switzerland promptly selected the fighter aircraft that received the lowest overall score - SAAB GRIPEN!
They found the Rafale to be too expensive. But Switzerland is a strange democracy where people get to vote for pretty much everything. The citizens of Switzerland (via referendum) decided not to buy Gripen (or any other fighter for that matter) either because they have never fought a war in 200 years!