India's Fighter Jet Dilemma: Rafale's Power vs. Tejas' Numbers

India's Air Force faces a crucial decision as it considers expanding its fleet. The debate centers on the classic question of quality versus quantity: should India invest in a smaller number of superior Rafale fighter jets from France, or opt for the more economical, domestically-produced Tejas Mk1A, potentially acquiring a larger force?

The Rafale, a proven French medium-weight fighter, boasts impressive capabilities. With a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight, it can carry nearly three times the weapons payload of the Tejas Mk1A. Yet, the Tejas program promises significant cost savings. Experts estimate India could acquire roughly three times as many Tejas Mk1A jets for the same investment as a smaller Rafale fleet.

This dilemma highlights the age-old military axiom, "Quantity has a quality all its own." A larger number of Tejas fighters, while potentially less advanced individually, could offer tactical advantages during a large-scale conflict. However, the Rafale's superior firepower and mission versatility ensure it remains a potent symbol of India's power projection on the global stage.

The decision facing the Indian Air Force is complex. Procurement involves not only raw numbers but also factors like maintenance, pilot training, infrastructure, and long-term strategic goals. India must carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option in the context of its unique security needs.

The choice between the Tejas Mk1A and the Rafale will significantly shape the future of India's air power. This decision echoes far beyond simple procurement; it's a question of how India envisions its role as a rising military power.

 

[Puneet]

What a nonsensical article. An Air force needs different types of aircraft for different roles. You need both apples as well as oranges. Let the Rafale come to fill the void and Tejas will follow to make up the numbers. The MRFA should be signed asap.

 

[beencensured]

Primary role of Tejas is as an interceptor. You don’t use mid air refueling for such roles. Mid air refueling is for ground attack roles and long distance sorties.

It still the best bomber in IAF and taking over Jaguar role.

 

[beencensured]

Tejas will remain mostly as a light fighter designed for air defence and other roles,while Rafale and MKI with their greater range,payload and more sophisticated avionics,atleast in Rafales case will convert offensive missions like SEAD over the frontline and behind enemy territory.

All advantages of rafale is lost as soon as we induct AESA radar on Tejas mk1a as that will give abilities to use astra mk2 and mk3. Tejas has lower rcs then rafale so has some advantages too. Like mention earlier Tejas has anti- radiation weapon rudram and possible integration of Brahmos ng.

 

[beencensured]

What a nonsensical article. An Air force needs different types of aircraft for different roles. You need both apples as well as oranges. Let the Rafale come to fill the void and Tejas will follow to make up the numbers. The MRFA should be signed asap.

First need is enough aircraft to fight a two front war and that happens with Tejas and not rafale. Second is need to be prudent in spending as no one will come to defend us. Tejas mk2 follows MRFA schedule and do a better plane to invest in for long term.

 

[beencensured]

Proper balance of quality & quantity... one can't be ditched in favour of the other for whatever the reason..

Again Tejas lift over 5 ton payload, and Rafale ten tons. Tejas mk1a has AESA radar and lower RCs, astra mk2 and mk3 are in development trials, and has rudram missile and possible brahmos ng in future. Tejas has highest availability.

 

[Akshat]

It still the best bomber in IAF and taking over Jaguar role.

Best bomber how? Bomber needs 2 basic characteristics. Range and payload. Su30 mki and Rafale outdo Tejas in both.

 

[Akshat]

Then what is the use of having refuelling probe, so IAF has a plan to use Tejas for long distance sorties.

Every plane has to go for long distance sorties when changing bases. Helps with quick inter theater deployment. But not useful in actual mission.

 

[Akshat]

F21 didn't get rejected, Tejas MK2 is almost near the entrance of HAL hangar about to fly.

They said it will be out of hangar in 2022. Delayed. Now no guarantee.

F21 hasn’t flown either. US will send F16 which shows that F21 is nothing but renamed F21. Not even a prototype is there. And F16 was rejected.

 

[beencensured]

Best bomber how? Bomber needs 2 basic characteristics. Range and payload. Su30 mki and Rafale outdo Tejas in both.

Tejas is good for cas unlike the two mention, and further it is replacing jaguars which was dedicated for this role earlier. Tejas is more accurate bomber then su30mki as it has low speed flying ability.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

We should cancel the entire MRFA process. Instead order 75 percent of MRFA quantity i.e. 86 no's Rafale. So total we will be having 86+36=122 Rafales.For the remaining 25 percent of MRFA budget around 5 billion, order Tejas, additional 70 nos.This way we can have both quality and quantity.

 

[desigandu]

Good, as this discussion is essential for any modern fighting force - capability vs. capacity vs. budget as a function of time...the way to typically think about it is capability costs money (good capability is neither cheap, nor easily available), but capacity is also its own capability and thus we need numbers, so what should we do? it is a complex question and a lot depends on what is the minimum-maximum capacity we need (say 40-50 squadrons of fighters by 2035-2040), and where are we now (about 30 squadrons) and then project for us to get a minimum of 40 squadrons by 2035 we will need a combination of - low capability (20), medium capability(15) and high capability (5)...Rafales are at the top end of middle capability by 2035, whereas AMCA/F-35s if we get any by then will be at the top end; as far as low-medium we will have Tejas Mk1As/2s and Super Sukhoi MKIs will in the same bracket as Rafales...Given all this, MRFA is critical for IAF and thus cannot be directly compared to 200 MK1As or 200-300 MK2s on purely cost terms...on the flip side if MRFA can't be signed in 2025/2026 and the jets can't fly earliest by 2030, then the question is what are the alternatives, even if we want to accelerate Mk2s/AMCA etc...??? No country can provide us 30-50 jets per year even in an emergency...The most capacity is about 160 F-35s/per year most of which is already committed to US and its allies.

 

[desigandu]

We should cancel the entire MRFA process. Instead order 75 percent of MRFA quantity i.e. 86 no's Rafale. So total we will be having 86+36=122 Rafales.For the remaining 25 percent of MRFA budget around 5 billion, order Tejas, additional 70 nos.This way we can have both quality and quantity.

Rafales have a backlog of 250, and they currently can't make more that 20/year, so even if we want Rafales starting 2030, another assembly line is required...

 

[desigandu]

If quantity was the only thing that mattered, the world would still be fighting with sticks and stones, since you can get the largest quantity of them for a given cost.

The Rafale is undoubtedly expensive, but the trade-off between quality and quantity should also take into account the fact that we can't just produce 100 aircraft a year starting next year if we had the orders. The entire supply chain needs to be upscaled, workforce needs to be hired and trained, infrastructure needs to be developed, etc. All of this takes time, and time is a luxury we cannot afford beyond a point.

could not agree more...this discussion sometimes misses the trade offs between - capability, capacity, cost, time and above all ability of the supply chain - both domestic and foreign...nevertheless hopefully we are all patriotic Indians' who have Bharat's best interest.

 

[Shafted mohammed]

Where is Tejas mk2? Even F16 failed the trails of the IAF. Rafale is the cheapest fighter that can meet IAF’s needs.

Ya they put one rebate each day after breaking coconut so that it would be ready for first flight in 4 years. Rest of the time the team waits on the gate watching the new line replaceable units. At each unit arrival they break a coconut and instal it in 2 months.

 

[amerjit johal]

Single engine MK2 can carry 17.5tons that is pretty closer to twin engine Rafale, if payload is the concern why not make ORCA with twin engines, why spend $300Mln+ on a foreign 4th gen jet OR buy Cheaper F21 that can carry 20.3 ton payload, among 3 Tejas MK2 is the best cost wise for it's payload carrying ability.

Actually on paper MK2 can carry 37.5 tons
With a combat radius of 10,000km

 

[Rudra]

Silly article. The comparison between apples and oranges is being portrayed as one between one superior item and one inferior item.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

How can “24ton” is three times than “13ton”?? Poor maths….
And every airforce need mix of fighter jet catagory.. thats why US have F16, F18, F15, F22 and F35…. U need light as well as heavy and elite class fighters to maintain an optimum balance between cost, quality/tech sophistication and quantity….
Clearly these people have little understanding…

 

[Anant]

Tejas is good for cas unlike the two mention, and further it is replacing jaguars which was dedicated for this role earlier. Tejas is more accurate bomber then su30mki as it has low speed flying ability.

Uh, not exactly. The Tejas Mk 1A is intended as a replacement for the MiG-21, MiG-23, and to a lesser extent, the MiG-27. Of those, the MiG-21s and MiG-23s were primarily used as interceptors. The actual replacement for the Jaguar is the Tejas Mk 2, but it seems some of the older Jaguars may be replaced by the Mk 1A thanks to the delays in the Mk 2.

 

[Anant]

Tejas has flight refueling probe, why can't we do Mid air refueling using a fuel tankeraircraft or buddy refuelling, this is not a big deal.

In-flight refuelling is a facility, not the norm. It is a capability you use on some missions. You can't make it the norm to use it on all missions, since you then essentially relegate most of your large fighters to essentially become small armed aerial tankers.

 

[Akshat]

Tejas is good for cas unlike the two mention, and further it is replacing jaguars which was dedicated for this role earlier. Tejas is more accurate bomber then su30mki as it has low speed flying ability.

First please decide if it is the best bomber or good for CAS.