Indian media recently said that the second batch of French-made Rafale fighters for India will be delivered in November, and the Indian Air Force has formed a team of experts to go to France for the final project review, paving the way for next month's handover. In 2016, India ordered 36 Rafale fighters from France, a total amount of up to $8.8 billion, an average of $244 million per aircraft, which is breathtaking, you know, the United States f35a this advanced fifth-generation aircraft is now priced at only $80 million, that year was only more than $100 million. Of course, it is undeniable that the performance of the Rafale fighter is indeed powerful, it is a twin-engine high-mobility multi-purpose fourth-generation aircraft, equipped with two Sneckma m88-2 turbofan engines with a maximum thrust of 50 kN, a range of 3700 km, a maximum takeoff weight of 24.5 tons, a climb rate of 305 meters per second, a practical ceiling of 16700 meters, a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, and can cruise supersonically at Mach 1.4.
(Pictured is a Rafale fighter)
In terms of weapons, the Rafale fighter is mainly equipped with Mika air-to-air missiles, although the range of the Mika missile is not prominent, only 50 kilometers, but it can take into account both medium-range strikes and close-range combat, Rafale can also be mounted meteor over-visual range air-to-air missiles and Gbu-12 laser-guided bombs and Skap air-launched cruise missiles, the attack capability is very powerful. In terms of radar, Rafale is equipped with rbe-2 active esoteric phased array radar, which has a detection distance of more than 130 kilometers, is also very strong in anti-jamming ability, and can track 8 targets at the same time. In addition, Rafale is also equipped with a very advanced optoelectronic system, link16 terminal, automatic terrain following system, etc., with very good electronic warfare capabilities and the ability to fight in complex terrain.
(Rafale Fighter)
The Rafale fighter has been tested in many wars, and in military operations such as the "Herax Mission", "Operation Hot Wind", and "Operation Serval Cat", the Rafale has performed well, so it has won the favor of some countries such as India, Egypt, and Qatar. But even if the Rafale fighter has excellent performance, it is ultimately a fourth-generation fighter without stealth performance, and there is an insurmountable generation gap with the stealth fighter.
(Pictured is the F117 stealth fighter)
In the 1991 Gulf War, the performance of the world's first stealth fighter, the F117, made the world see the importance of the stealth performance of the fighter, and after that, the research and development of stealth fighters in various countries was in full swing. Especially after entering the new century, the air defense systems of various countries have become more and more developed, and stealth performance is almost the top priority for fighters. In asymmetric warfare, conventional fighters are not too threatened, and their strength can be fully exerted, and once a strong dialogue occurs, the drawback of no stealth ability will be very fatal.
However, India did not agree, and the third brother firmly believed that the Rafale was the most advanced fighter. When the first five Rafale fighters were delivered to India on July 29, Indian Defense Minister Singh said the Rafale fighters were definitely "game changers." The Indian media has even put the Rafale fighter in the sky, and the Eurasian Times also published an article saying that the Rafale fighter can definitely suppress China's J-20 fighter (the ignorant are fearless).
(Pictured is the J-20 stealth fighter)
China's J-20 is a fifth-generation fighter with excellent stealth performance, and based on this alone, the so-called Rafale suppression of the J-20 is an absolute joke. In addition, in terms of conventional performance, the J-20 also throws out the gust eight streets, the J-20 has a range of 6,000 kilometers, a maximum take-off weight of 39 tons, a climb rate of 500 meters per second, a practical ceiling of 20,000 meters, a maximum speed of Mach 2.8, and can be supersonic cruise at a speed of Mach 2, it is clear that the J-20 is ahead of the Rafale in all aspects.
(The picture shows the Shandong aircraft carrier)
In recent years, China has worked hard to develop the military industry with the mentality of no longer putting the people in a state of humiliation and maintaining world peace, and today, China's great military achievements are obvious to all, and the main weapons and equipment of the three armed forces, navy, and air force, almost all of them have been domestically produced, and their performance is advanced. On the other hand, India, which is bent on provoking and even trying to start a war, has also been committed to a strong army in recent years, but the domestic military industry has developed slowly, most of the weapons and equipment have to be purchased at high prices to other countries, and it is almost impossible to buy first-class main equipment.