China Warns India’s Rafale Fighters ‘Have No Chance’ Against Chinese Stealth Jets

BEIJING, Nov. 1, 2016 -- A J-20 stealth fighter of China flies at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 1, 2016. China's domestic-built J-20 stealth fighter made its public debut during the exhibition. China achieved major breakthroughs in scientific and technological development in 2016. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Forbes: China Warns India’s Rafale Fighters ‘Have No Chance’ Against Chinese Stealth Jets

Chinese and Indian fighters are engaging in vicious dogfights.

Not in the air, but over the airwaves, where both nations are claiming that their newest jets are superior to those of their rival.

Last week, former Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa claimed that China’s new J-20 stealth fighter “doesn’t come close” to India’s new French-made Rafale fighters. Dhanoa boasted the Rafale’s “top-of-the-line electronic warfare suite, Meteor beyond-visual-range [air-to-air] missile and Scalp air-to-ground weapon with its terrain following capability outguns any threat that the Chinese Air Force produces,” according to the Hindustan Times.

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WNU Editor: India has a different opinion .... Will India’s New Rafale Fighters Tip The Balance In Any Aerial Conflict Against China? (August 2, 2020)

Will India’s New Rafale Fighters Tip The Balance In Any Aerial Conflict Against China?

Michael Peck, Forbes: Should China Fear India’s New Rafale Fighters?

In the wake of border clashes between India and China, the Indian Air Force has received powerful reinforcements.

Five French-made Rafale fighters have arrived in India, the first of 36 jets that will boost Indian airpower should minor border clashes with China escalate into more serious hostilities.

Not surprisingly, the first Rafales will be deployed at the Ambala airbase in northern India. Ambala is about 300 miles from the Indian territory of Ladakh, where dozens of Indian and Chinese soldiers died in June after clashes over a border zone claimed by both nations. The Rafales will be a welcome addition to the less advanced Indian Navy MiG-29Ks that already have been deployed to the region.

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WNU Editor: India's military leaders feel confident that these new fighters will help India in any conflict with China. I am not too sure about that. They have only purchased 36 fighters, and the India - China border is very long.

More News On India’s New Rafale Fighters

As India and China refuse to back down, a look at IAF’s Rafale vs PLA Air Force’s J-20 -- Defence Aviation Post
‘Rafales will provide India major advantage in Tibet in case of aerial combat’: Ex-IAFchief Dhanoa -- Hindustan Times
Rafales will provide India major advantage in Tibet in case of aerial combat: B S Dhanoa -- Indian Express

India Deploys Its Fleet Of Mig-29 Jets To Face China

An Indian Navy MiG-29K. U.S. Navy

Forbes: India Gets Desperate For Mountain Fighters, Sends Navy MiGs North

The Indian Navy plans to deploy 20 of its 45 MiG-29 carrier-borne fighters to the Himalayas to reinforce air force jets flying patrols over a disputed region bordering China.

The MiG-29Ks are supposed to fly from the fleet’s new aircraft carrier Vikrant. But Vikrant is years behind schedule, freeing up the MiGs and their pilots for land-based operations.

Desperation on the part of the air force might also be a factor in the decision to send navy fighters into the mountains.

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WNU Editor: The military balance favours India for now .... India-China War: US Study Explains Why Indian Air Force Could Outgun China In A Border Conflict (Eurasian Times).

Is India Buying The Right Warplanes For Fighting China?

An Indian Air Force SU-30K Flanker lands here following a simulated combat mission with U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown

Forbes: India Is Buying The Wrong Warplanes For Fighting China

The Indian Air Force needs new fighters. It needed them pretty badly before the current conflict with China over a stretch of the Himalayas that both countries claim. Now it needs them even worse.

On Monday, Chinese forces killed 20 Indian soldiers in a skirmish along the disputed India-China border running through the towering mountain range. Forty-three Chinese soldiers also were injured or died, according to press reports.

So it should come as no surprise that India this week reportedly placed a $780 million order with Russia for 33 fighters, enough to equip or reequip two squadrons. What’s weird is which fighter types New Delhi reportedly is buying.

The Indian order includes 21 MiG-29s and 12 Su-30s, according to press reports. But one aviation expert believes the Sukhois in particular are a poor fit for mountain patrols.

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WNU Editor: India's request for Russian warplanes is not a surprise. India's air force is use to handling Russian warplanes. They also need planes now, which I am sure Russia will deliver quickly. Maybe the other warplanes will be more suitable for India in its conflict with China, but I suspect that there is a time lag before India gets them, and that time lag is probably unacceptable in view of the current situation.

India Agrees To Purchase 36 Rafale Fighter Jets

A Rafale fighter jet flies over the factory of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Merignac near Bordeaux during a visit by the French President March 4, 2015. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/Files

Reuters: Indian cabinet approves purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets

India's cabinet cleared the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation on Wednesday, paving the way for signing a deal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is betting on to modernize the air force, a government source told Reuters.

The acquisition is part of a $150-billion military overhaul India has launched, drawing global arms makers into one of the world's most promising markets.

Under the deal, India will get 36 Rafale jets ready to go straight into service. India's fighter aircraft fleet, comprising Russian, British and French planes, is down to 33 squadrons as against the air force's requirement of 45 to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China.

The two countries will sign the final deal on Friday, the source, who did not wish to be named as he is not authorized to speak to the media, said.

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WNU Editor: Some are wondering if this is the reason why India wants these fighters .... Need a Fighter Jet to Drop Nukes, No Questions Asked? Buy French (War Is Boring). More here .... Behind Rafale deal: Their ‘strategic’ role in delivery of nuclear weapons (Indian Express).

More News On India Agreeing To Purchase 36 Rafale Fighter Jets

Indian Ministers Approve Rafale Fighter Jet Deal -- Defense News
India confirms deal to buy 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets -- France 24
India Clears Dassault’s Rafale Fighter Jet Deal -- WSJ
India to ink mega Rafale fighter deal with France on Friday -- Times of India
Rafale Deal worth $ 8.9 billion cleared by Cabinet Committee; contract for 36 fighter jets to be inked on September 23! -- India.com

The Indian Air Force Is A 'Paper Tiger'

India plans to replace its MiGs with 123 modern aircraft in a deal worth $12 billion. AFP

Indian Airforce Loses Half Its Planes -- The Telegraph

India's Russian MiG fighter jets have been branded 'flying coffins' after the government revealed more than half of its 872-strong fleet had crashed since the mid-1960s.
According to India's defence minister AK Anthony 482 had crashed, killing 171 air force pilots since the country began buying MiG jets in 1966. The incidents had killed 218 people including civilians.

Critics said the figures raised questions over why India had continued using the fighter jets and described them as "flying coffins." The high number of crashes was attributed to "human error" and technical difficulties." Many different MiG models remain in service in the Indian Air Force, but some, like the MiG 21, are being phased out because of its poor record.

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More News On The Indian Air Force

Damning figures for India's 'flying coffins' -- AFP
India’s “flying coffins” have claimed over 200 lives -- DAWN
India lost half of its MiG jets in 40 years -- Mumbai Mirror
Indian Air Force lost half of MiG fighter jets in deadly crashes -- India Today
Indian Air Force short of 363 pilots: Report -- IBN Live
A good reason for India to buy American? Half its MiGs crashed over past 40 years -- Global Post

The Battle For India's Jet Fighter Contract

This photo combination shows a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and the Dassault military jet, Rafale. File photo

The $20 Billion Dogfight for an Indian Air Force Contract -- Wall Street Daily

It flies at over 1,500 miles per hour and has been called the complete combat aircraft.

But India doesn’t want it.

The consortium behind the Eurofighter, Typhoon, was ready for take off last month on an air defense contract worth $20 billion.

That was until French company, Dassault, swooped in and beat them to it, winning the chance to sell 126 of their Rafale aircrafts.

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More News On The Battle For India's Jet Fighter Contract

IAF fighter deal: Rafale much cheaper than Typhoon; govt rules out review -- Times of India
Rafale Up to 25 Percent Cheaper than Typhoon, A Key Reason Behind its Selection for the Indian Air Force, Says Report -- Ottawa Citizen
BAe mulls price cut for Eurofighter -- Asian Age
Eurofighter may revise bid MoD declines comment: Gerald Howarth -- Business Standard
UK steps up efforts to win Indian jet deal -- Financial Times
BAE may cut Typhoon price to win India order -- The Telegraph
Dassault beat Eurofighter 'hollow' in India deal -- AFP
India buys fighter plane others reject -- Vancouver Sun
Cameron 'a spectator' in India jet deal -- Defence Management
The Rafale's long flight to India -- Business Standard
India has made powerful enemies by selecting Dassault -- The Pioneer

Race Begins Next Week for $12B India Warjet Deal

From The Defense News:

NEW DELHI - India will start fighter jet trials next week as the world's six top aerospace giants vie for a $12 billion military contract, an official said Aug. 7.

The trials for what will be the world's most lucrative fighter contract in more than a decade will begin in Bangalore, India's space research and aeronautical industry hub.

The assessment is due to continue for almost a year before New Delhi makes its choice from the six companies, the officials said.

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My Comment: Doing business with Indians has been some of the most difficult negotiations in my life .... and it was never worth my time. My prediction .... 6 aerospace firms will be experiencing the same thing this year.