 |
| MMRCA - The biggest arms import tender in the history |
Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) has been causing stirs among world's biggest arm exporters and merchants. Initially, six wonderful jets competed comprising Dassault Rafale, Mikoyan MiG-35, Saab Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing F-18 and the much discussed Eurofighter Typhoon. After a stringent check and tests, Indian Air Force chose Dassault Rafale which passed in maximum of its parameters and price band. It was close to that of Eurofighter Typhoon. However, French being more flexible in technology transfer, slightly cheaper Rafale and familiarity of Indians with French made delta wing Mirage turned it to winner. However, there was much a buzz about the loss of Eurofighter. After this results, many other countries such as Brazil showed its interest in Rafale, quoting the Indians "Rafale has satisfied us both on grounds and in the air. It is an awesome machine powerful enough to be called Game Changer."
 |
| Dassault Rafale |
If we keep the Eurofighters buzz aside and try to circumspect, there was much asked question which went unanswered. Russia and India are known tie-ups since the cold war era. More than 70% of Indian Air Force comprises of Russian aircrafts including Sukhoi 30 MKI, MiG 29, MiG 21, MiG 27, Ilyushins etc. People ask why Russia chose to offer MiG 35 when Sukhoi 37 (NATO Terminator) is far better in the fighter interceptor as well as multirole capability. And MMRCA was about "multirole" from the very definition. Reltively similar to the MKIs, Su 37 could also be the game changer. It would require least reconfiguration of infrastructure since MKIs are already with India for more than a decade.
 |
| The powerful and agile Sukhoi 30 MKI |
|
|
Coming to the point of Sukhoi vs Rafale (Rafale vs Sukhoi 37), there is much discussed on the front. Both aircrafts have flew together but never engaged in a dog fight. Lets evaluate both in few other parameters:
-
Dog fight
- Proven in many engagements, dog fights can be a stiff measurement of air superiority when it comes to these two marvelous machines. However, with its agile thurst vectoring and conventionally stable airframe, Sukhoi holds the edge over Rafale for sure.
-
Ground attack
- When it comes to ground attack, Rafale is the winner. Its ability to fly low and a smaller RCS compared to Sukhoi, it can devastate as many as 20-30 ground targets. Loaded with Exocets, it can prove lethal enough to frustrate enemy morale. French have other deadly accurate smart bombs. Syria has seen the wrath of French Rafale who performed 500+ sorties from Charles de Gaulle.
-
Ground support
- When it comes to ground support, Sukhoi's capability to engage more than 10 aircrafts simultaneously brings it to the front seat. Its super maneuverability offsets Rafale's super cruise capability and its post stall maneuvers gives the edge and defeats Rafale in this parameter.
Now, adding to these following are the quick facts that would help you understand further while I bring more points.
| Sukhoi SU-37 is cheaper. |
| Sukhoi SU-37 is more economical. |
| Dassault Rafale is faster. |
| Sukhoi SU-37 is better armed. |
| Dassault Rafale is better dogfighter. |
Dassault Rafale is smaller than Sukhoi SU-37.
|
 |
| Sukhoi vs Rafale |
Why do you think post stall manoeuvrability has any bearing on ground support? And the Flanker's engine life is still roughly half that of the Rafale's, so I'd dispute that it's more economical.
ReplyDeleteYou have your point. However, these post stall maneuverability evaded more than dozen IGLA attacks in Kargil war 1999. Ironically, another French made marvel in the Indian Air Force, i.e. Mirage 2000 fell prey to it. Two Mirages were downed by Pakistani intruders/terrorists. Lets forget the idea of this for ground support, more than 60% of Sukhoi's Saturn engine is built by HAL (local production) and are operational. Whereas French are very reluctant about technology transfer. So all components would be French made and imported which is going to be costlier than the one produced locally. (I would request you to refrain to coin that 'India would do cheap duplication of Rafale'. There is vast difference between India and China.)
DeleteI would not presume to be so disrespectful, I have great admiration for the progress Indian aerospace technology has made in the last 25 or so years, and it is to be applauded rather than scorned.
DeleteThe thing with post-stall manoeuvrability is that in a defensive position it is only really useful as a last ditch escape to deny a weapons solution; sure the rapid change of direction may dupe the first missile, but after that you're left on perilously low energy with which to fend off any subsequent launches. Having said that, I must confess to knowing close to nothing about the Kargil war (typical western ignorance I'm afraid) so I shall take your word for it being an effective means of defeating MANPADS in that conflict.
I agree, acquiring spares form Dassault is likely to be an expensive pain for India, but so is manufacturing and replacing the 117. The million (or several hundred million) dollar question is therefore whether the cost of all those extra engines offsets the cost of being in Dassault's pocket.
The bottom line is that the aircraft are so similar in terms of technological capability that it's basically impossible to have a clear cut answer. I suppose the simplest way to put is is asking whether or not the Rafale's extra multirole capability is worth the extra $30m per jet, and as a foreigner it is not my place to answer that question for you.
I believe the author is too biased with Sukhoi. He could be an ex. airforce man singing his glory days with Sukhoi. Jokes apart. Probably best for Indian Air Force to diversify the tender. They already produce 60% then they should keep producing the same or more and make them on Indian soil. They require some 120 jets then have 80 Rafale and 40 typhoons (Both competed in the tender). At least I could say that either of those two when armed properly would shoot down F-16 blocks with Pakistan or Russian Chengdus. Condition is better armed i.e. more expenditure on weapon systems. However, I came to read that India is already operating Meteors. Its an answer then.
DeleteVery well put Dan.