India’s Rafale fighter jets have no chance against China’s J-20: experts

[Feng Leng]

https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1196242.shtml

India has recently received delivery of five Rafale fighter jets, with a former Indian air chief marshal boasting that the French-made warplanes' capability is superior to China's J-20 stealth fighter jet. Chinese experts said that the Rafale is only a third-plus generation fighter jet, and does not stand much of a chance against a stealth, fourth generation one like the J-20.

In some combat performance areas, the Rafale is superior to the Su-30 MKI fighter jets, which are in service in the Indian air force in large batches, but it is only about one-fourth of a generation more advanced and does not yield a significant qualitative change, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.

Thanks to its AESA radar, advanced weapons and limited stealth technologies, the Rafale is comparable to other third-plus generation fighter jets used by other countries, but it will find it very difficult to confront a stealth-capable fourth generation fighter jet, Zhang said.

Zhang's statement came after the five Rafale fighter jets took off from France on Monday and arrived in India on Wednesday, Indian media reported on Wednesday.

In a report by the Hindustan Times on Wednesday, India's former air chief marshal B.S. Dhanoa claimed that the Rafale "is a game changer, and the Chinese J-20 does not even come close."

It is common knowledge that a generational gap in fighter jets represents a huge difference that cannot be made up by tactics and numbers in combat, military observers said.

China's J-20 is far superior to the Rafale, they said.


Sounds like the gauntlet is thrown down! What will Surinder Modi do?

 

[Figaro]

Sounds like the gauntlet is thrown down! What will Surinder Modi do?

He should surrender

 

[Ali_Baba]

Modi will bend over and surrender .. what else ?

 

[UKBengali]

Hardly a surprise and the gap will widen between J-20 and Rafale when the J-20 finally gets the WS-15 engine.

 

[ZY-CN-CA]

I think is a litter better then J10C.. very powerful fighter.but less then J20

 

[52051]

I think is a litter better then J10C.. very powerful fighter.but less then J20

I don't think it is better than J-10C if you know how important electronics is in modern warfare.

With its little nose and lower power AESA radar, it stand not much chance against J-10c and J-16 either.

 

[Figaro]

I have heard as much as the Indian media likes to think Rafaels are for China, they are actually mainly intended for Pakistan. While 36 is not a significant number, I still believe the PAF has to be wary of this upgrade and possibly push out the JF-17 Block 3 faster

 

[TNT]

I remember how indians were boasting about su30 and how its far better than F16s but last year the result was evident. Indians have stopped talking about su30 and now rafale is their new God.

 

[LeGenD]

I remember how indians were boasting about su30 and how its far better than F16s but last year the result was evident. Indians have stopped talking about su30 and now rafale is their new God.

Indian hype is a cringeworthy tradition of the nation, but French do make good aircraft.

Rafale has a small RCS, impressive kinematics, a comprehensive embedded Spectra EW suite, and even limited sensor integration. French also make impressive munitions. This jet will deliver results in capable hands.

However, a count of 36 is really LOW.

 

[Figaro]

Indian hype is a cringeworthy tradition of the nation, but French do make good aircraft.

Rafale has a small RCS, impressive kinematics, a comprehensive embedded Spectra EW suite, and even limited sensor integration. French also make impressive munitions. This jet will deliver results in capable hands.

However, a count of 36 is really LOW.

Indeed the Rafael is a very capable 4.5 gen fighter ... and I would expect them to be considering India dished out over a quarter billion dollars for each of the 36 planes. Having said that, the Rafael really cannot compete with something fifth generation like the J-20. India desperately needs a fifth gen counter.

 

[LeGenD]

Indeed the Rafael is a very capable 4.5 gen fighter ... and I would expect them to be considering India dished out over a quarter billion dollars for each of the 36 planes. Having said that, the Rafael really cannot compete with something fifth generation like the J-20. India desperately needs a fifth gen counter.

For now, Rafale is the only aircraft in Indian inventory which can come close to challenging J-20. But China have numbers on its side as well.

Other Indian options do not stand even remote of a chance.

 

[nahtanbob]

Indeed the Rafael is a very capable 4.5 gen fighter ... and I would expect them to be considering India dished out over a quarter billion dollars for each of the 36 planes. Having said that, the Rafael really cannot compete with something fifth generation like the J-20. India desperately needs a fifth gen counter.

Rafale is a proven fighter evaluated by numerous 3rd parties
No one can believe Chinese claims about J-20

for starters China has not really exported 4th generation aircraft on a large scale. The JF-17s (if you want to call it 4th generation) are based off Russian engines

 

[Figaro]

Rafale is a proven fighter evaluated by numerous 3rd parties
No one can believe Chinese claims about J-20

for starters China has not really exported 4th generation aircraft on a large scale. The JF-17s (if you want to call it 4th generation) are based off Russian engines

Come on ... this is not even an argument at all. The F-22 or B-2 were never exported either ... does this mean they are not proven? If we are to assume an aircraft is effective only because it has been exported to countries, then that is not reasonable. The JF-17, which is a 4th generation fighter, has been shown to be effective by Pakistani pilots in combat ops (not training ops).

 

[LeGenD]

Rafale is a proven fighter evaluated by numerous 3rd parties
No one can believe Chinese claims about J-20

for starters China has not really exported 4th generation aircraft on a large scale. The JF-17s (if you want to call it 4th generation) are based off Russian engines

Those in the know-how do take J-20 seriously. This is one platform in which China have done its best, and continue to improve it.

Such arrogance is foolish.

 

[nahtanbob]

Come on ... this is not even an argument at all. The F-22 or B-2 were never exported either ... does this mean they are not proven?

B-2 has seen combat against lesser foes. Sure the F-22 is not sold to anyone. F-35, F-16, F-15, F/A-18 have all been exported to wide range of customers. No one doubts the American military industrial complexes's ability to build world class aircraft. No one is foolish to challenge the USAF.

What has China sold ? F-7 (MiG-21 clones) and JF-17s with Russian engines.
They are still reverse engineering Su-27, Su-30. They placed an order for Su-35 from Russia