India's Rafale M Poised to Outperform Chinese Reverse-Engineered J-15 in Key Combat Metrics as Design Flaws Persist in PLAAN's Carrier-Based Fighter

India's acquisition of the Rafale M naval fighter jet is poised to give the Indian Navy a significant edge over China's carrier-based aircraft, according to an Indian Navy official.

In a candid assessment, the official stated that the Rafale M significantly outclasses China's modernized J-15B and J-15D fighters in all key combat capabilities.

The Rafale M, a naval variant of the renowned French Rafale fighter, is purpose-built for carrier operations. It boasts advanced avionics, weaponry, and a robust airframe designed to withstand the rigors of naval combat.

In contrast, the J-15B and J-15D, derivatives of the Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-33, continue to grapple with inherited design flaws despite significant Chinese investment in modernization.

"The J-15 series, despite its upgrades, carries the legacy of the Su-33's problems, which have been well-documented," the official noted. "These include issues with the aircraft's weight, fuel efficiency, and operational reliability."

The J-15 was reverse-engineered and modified from a prototype of the Su-33 acquired from Ukraine. However, fundamental design challenges persist, impacting its overall combat effectiveness.

The official highlighted that India's decision to opt for the MiG-29K over the Su-33 for its aircraft carriers was influenced by similar reliability and performance concerns that even the Russian Navy faced. The Russian Navy's eventual transition from the Su-33 to the MiG-29K further underscores the unresolved problems with the former.

China has acknowledged these shortcomings and is now developing the J-35, a fifth-generation carrier-based fighter, with the aim of phasing out the J-15 variants. The J-35 is expected to bring stealth capabilities, enhanced avionics, and superior combat performance to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

However, despite the J-35's development, the PLAN continues to induct J-15B and J-15D aircraft, highlighting their continued efforts to expanding their naval aviation capabilities. These jets, however, still carry the design limitations of the Su-33, hindering their effectiveness against modern adversaries like the Rafale M.

The Rafale M's superiority in areas such as radar, electronic warfare, payload capacity, and operational range provides the Indian Navy with a strategic advantage in potential naval engagements. Its compatibility with India's aircraft carriers, coupled with its proven combat record in various international operations, positions it as a formidable asset in the region.

 

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[Arin Kumar]

All these assessment mean nothing. Because even if 36 Rafale-M are able to shoot down 36 J 15B/D, China will immediately supply another 36 J 15B/D to that aircraft carrier.

for India loss of a single Rafale-M is = loss of USD $250 million which we have to pay with US Dollars
for China loss of a single J 15B/D = loss of USD$ 40 to 50 million - which they will pay in RMB. RMB is printed by China.

 

[Anant]

Consider the Jaguar and Mig21 squadrons to be ZERO.

Because in modern day warfare they are useless junk.

So we basically have -> (31-8) ~ 23 squadrons.

Besides Mig 29 and Su 30 MKI keep crashing from time to time every 1-2 years.

So it is safe to assume our squadron strength to be 22.

Our Airforce demands 50 Squadrons .

I would discount the MiG-21 for anything but second-line defence, but the Jaguars are still fairly reasonable. Yes, they are aging. Yes, they are susceptible to anti-aircraft fire. However, they are also still fairly capable ground attack aircraft, and can be fairly useful in a combined action where you have air superiority fighters as well as anti-radiation and anti-SAM missiles available.

As the war in Ukraine has shown, ground attack aircraft like the Su-24 and Su-25 have their uses, even though they are susceptible to higher losses. The same goes for the Jaguar.