India to get Rafale fighter jets on IAF-approved configuration, Manohar Parrikar says

[The_Sidewinder]

Even if we buy Rafales without AESA, which is highly unlikely, we can certainly integrate it later I guess.

 

[surya kiran]

@Abingdonboy
True, BUT it is clear the MMRCA selection criteria and analysis is being used as the basis for the current govt-govt Rafale deal otherwise why would the DM need to make such comments?
Yes. You are right in the bold part.

If this was an entirely new set of negotiations with zero basis in the MMRCA then why refer back to the Rafales the IAF had tested under the MMRCA process?
It is a completely new negotiation. Reason being, its tested. Negotiations are commercial. Testing was technical.

Why pursue the Rafale at all if you weren't continuing the findings of the MMRCA (ie the Rafale meets the IAF's technical criteria) simply through different means (govt-govt talks)?
Because, there is no other option. The other three did not meet requirements. Rafale is the one with which there have been detailed negotiations. If now, we jump to the Eurofighter its back to square one.

There is no way the MoD/GoI have simply abandoned the testing and evaluation reports of the MMRCA contest, for one, the delays incurred to come up with an entirely new set of criteria in which to pick a configuration would be enormous.
Yes agreed. But, like you mentioned yourself, its technical. Not commercial.

The Rafale the IAF evaluated (yes they didn't get a chance to field test it because it wasn't available at the time), that Dassualt provided cost estimates and life cycle maintenance quotes for was a Rafale WITH AESA!

Additionally, AESA is a standard production feature (for which their production line is now tuned for), does anyone really think Dassualt would be proposing or the MoD insisting on downgrading the IAF's fighters from the current production variant? This is simply unimaginable.
At this stage, wait and watch.

Don't fret gents- AESA is a certainty.
I hope so too! But, honestly, I would not bet on it till the deal is signed.

 

[Abingdonboy]

IAF hasn't tested an aesa rafale..and the DM cannot place an order for 36 planes which hasn't been tested..If they end up testing an aesa rafale then the testing will take its own sweet time. ..the DM clearly says that the configuration tested is the one on order and not the one in the MMRCA.

Testing is a very specific activity that only made up a part of the entire MMRCA selection process. The IAF DID evaluate the Rafale with an AESA radar- this was the only configuration they were interested 4 years ago so why would this change now?

2. You are assuming that it would be the one in the MMRCA. .While the whole MMRCA fell off and now it will be the one already tested.

The only Rafale ever offered to the IAF came with an AESA radar, this is now the standard production model that is being sold to all customers both foreign and domestic. It is simply inconceivable that the IAF would get Rafales in 2017 that were of a pre-2012 specification (i.e no AESA)!

Many are taking the DM FAR too literally. Just because FrAF Rafales were test flown by the IAF during the MMRCA evaluation process does not mean the IAF's Rafales will be identical to those specific FrAF models! Think about it, the IAF will want their own kit on their jets (Indian IFFs, specific avionics, third party weapons, third party LDPs etc) so the IAF's Rafales will NEVER be identical to those jets they tested- this is illogical, there will inherently be differences with the IAF's jets no matter what.

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks this is what the DM meant has let this whole MMRCA saga make them too paranoid, think about it logically and use some common sense- the IAF's Rafales are coming with AESA and all other IAF-specified equipment (HMDS, Indian IFFs, Litening IV etc). It would actually be a lot more complicated (and expensive) to NOT go for the current standard (ie with AESA radars) as the IAF would then be out of touch with the rest of the Rafale operators and hence out of the loop when it comes to upgrades, supply chains, maintenance contracts etc etc

 

[[Bregs]]

Lol this is unwarranted confusion when rafales were first tested they were allowed to enter MRCA only on condition that they will have functional AESA and this can be accessed any where on those older news

 

[Fandingo]

You are discounting 2 facts here...

IAF hasn't tested an aesa rafale..and the DM cannot place an order for 36 planes which hasn't been tested..If they end up testing an aesa rafale then the testing will take its own sweet time. ..the DM clearly says that the configuration tested is the one on order and not the one in the MMRCA.

2. You are assuming that it would be the one in the MMRCA. .While the whole MMRCA fell off and now it will be the one already tested.

AESA is the final config. The French can't go back on their production lines.

 

[acid rain]

AESA is the final config. The French can't go back on their production lines.

Ok..that makes sense..

 

[Brahma Bull]

IAF will get AESA

https://twitter.com/x/status/623898572069548033

 

[Dr Gupta]

Rafale without AESA if that were too transpire would be piss be off so much but IAF I have faith in do want AESA they know it's key!