Integrated IRST System Proved Deciding Factor in Indian Navy's Choice of Rafale M over Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

The Indian Navy's selection of Dassault Aviation's Rafale M over Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for its carrier-based fighter jet program was heavily influenced by the Rafale M's integrated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, according to sources close to the 2022 trials conducted at INS Hansa in Goa.

The IRST system, a passive sensor that detects and tracks aircraft by their infrared signature without emitting radar signals, offers a crucial advantage in modern aerial warfare. This stealthy tracking capability allows fighter jets to identify and engage adversaries without being detected, a critical factor in securing an element of surprise.

While the Rafale M features a built-in IRST system, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, even in its latest Block III configuration, lacks this integrated capability. Boeing proposed a podded IRST solution attached to the aircraft's fuel tank, but this workaround raised concerns among Indian Navy evaluators.

The podded IRST's limitations include reduced fuel or weapons carrying capacity, vulnerability to loss in combat or emergency situations, and higher replacement costs. Furthermore, Boeing acknowledged that the podded system was still under development and faced delays in achieving operational maturity, further hindering its appeal.

Beyond the IRST advantage, the Rafale M benefited from the Indian Air Force's existing familiarity with the Rafale platform. This commonality is expected to result in logistical efficiencies, reduced procurement and training costs, and streamlined maintenance procedures. The Rafale M's proven track record with the French Navy also bolstered its credibility.

Although the F/A-18 Super Hornet boasts a strong reputation as a carrier-based fighter, the lack of an integrated IRST system proved to be a significant drawback. The reliance on an external IRST pod raised concerns about operational effectiveness and logistical challenges, particularly in missions requiring high levels of stealth and adaptability.

As potential adversaries increasingly field stealth aircraft designed to evade radar detection, IRST systems are becoming indispensable for maintaining an edge in aerial combat. The Rafale M's integrated IRST capability, coupled with its performance record and synergy with the Indian Air Force's Rafale fleet, ultimately tipped the scales in its favor.

 

[sanket]

Rafale M is clear winner on Tech parameters, While F-18 is outdated Tech Fighter jet ,No chance in MRFA tooo, Now Real Fight will b between Eurofighter & Rafale in MRFA while Su-35v will b Dark horse

 

[Chinese eater]

With time there will always be addition and improvement in technology. Make a decision in our budget and requirements. Why sit on paralysis decision process. Pakistan is adding weapons swiftly.

 

[Pramkumar]

with the cost of 26 Marine Rafale, IAF whould have made the 2.5X of the Navel LCA which would have matured the technologis for the TEDBF

 

[Akhil]

Rafale M is clear winner on Tech parameters, While F-18 is outdated Tech Fighter jet ,No chance in MRFA tooo, Now Real Fight will b between Eurofighter & Rafale in MRFA while Su-35v will b Dark horse

Lol Eurofighter.

India will never go for Eurofighter. There are too many geopolitical complications when more than 1 partner is involved. And few of them are too woke in Firefighter.

 

[Pad UwU]

IMHO fa18 is way better... Only problem is our aircraft carrier is smaller to be honest

 

[Ronin]

Rafale M is clear winner on Tech parameters, While F-18 is outdated Tech Fighter jet ,No chance in MRFA tooo, Now Real Fight will b between Eurofighter & Rafale in MRFA while Su-35v will b Dark horse

Nothing decided yet, GOI is purposely keeping the doors open to get a better deal in MRFA, for the price of 26 Rafale-M, we could buy 50-60 Gripen-E/F, F/A-18 is an ace and a veteran in Naval warfare unlike Rafale-M, the main reason for MOD considering Rafale-M is because 36 jets is just too low numbers to maintain, so they wanted to add 26 more and be done with Rafale brand, 36+26=62 jets, just like the Mirage.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

IMHO fa18 is way better... Only problem is our aircraft carrier is smaller to be honest

F18SH is HAVING FOLDING WINGS AND FITS NEATLY IN AC's LIFT. RAFALE-M HAVE TO BE sqeezed in sideways and so dangerous to operate like that as jet can be damaged or lost in the seas easily...

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Rafale M is clear winner on Tech parameters, While F-18 is outdated Tech Fighter jet ,No chance in MRFA tooo, Now Real Fight will b between Eurofighter & Rafale in MRFA while Su-35v will b Dark horse

Rafale do not have folding wings and so very dangerous to operate on top deck to repair silo transfers...!!

 

[Dredd]

Good, so there were not two winner as earlier reported, There was always a preference for Rafale by IN due to superior package.
All the discussion of Rafale being cheaper to F-18 should now be put to rest as there was no price negotiation with F-18.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

Good, so there were not two winner as earlier reported, There was always a preference for Rafale by IN due to superior package.
All the discussion of Rafale being cheaper to F-18 should now be put to rest as there was no price negotiation with F-18.

Rafale M Can't be cheaper than F18.
Rafale M was a better Jets period, and specially for india. On these count.

1. Rafale is a newer jets, has many tech built into it from inception.
2. F-18 will not be a mainstay like rafale in french navy, so not developed beyond a point.
3. F18 was designed to fly from catobar so they can fly with more fuel unlike Indian needs. etc.

 

[ramdas]

If IAF is so comfortable with Rafales why the government is orchestrating the MRFA tender and delaying it. Negotiate and finish the contract as they have already invested heavily in the infrastructure. Selecting any other fighter jet adds to the complexity and not feasible for IAF to maintan both

 

[Dredd]

Rafale M Can't be cheaper than F18.
Rafale M was a better Jets period, and specially for india. On these count.

1. Rafale is a newer jets, has many tech built into it from inception.
2. F-18 will not be a mainstay like rafale in french navy, so not developed beyond a point.
3. F18 was designed to fly from catobar so they can fly with more fuel unlike Indian needs. etc.

Rafale is also designed as a catobar plane but both demonstrated ski-jump capability, F-18 have a dedicated growler version which is game changer but it wasn't seeked by IN. For IN Rafale made more sense as it will save cost for india specific enhancement and training.

 

[Akshat]

Nothing decided yet, GOI is purposely keeping the doors open to get a better deal in MRFA, for the price of 26 Rafale-M, we could buy 50-60 Gripen-E/F, F/A-18 is an ace and a veteran in Naval warfare unlike Rafale-M, the main reason for MOD considering Rafale-M is because 36 jets is just too low numbers to maintain, so they wanted to add 26 more and be done with Rafale brand, 36+26=62 jets, just like the Mirage.

Brazil would disagree with you who paid more for Gripen. 😂😂 Not to mention, a Gripen E can’t even take off from a carrier. Forget that, it was even kicked out of MMRCA.

 

[Philippe Picard]

Nothing decided yet, GOI is purposely keeping the doors open to get a better deal in MRFA, for the price of 26 Rafale-M, we could buy 50-60 Gripen-E/F, F/A-18 is an ace and a veteran in Naval warfare unlike Rafale-M, the main reason for MOD considering Rafale-M is because 36 jets is just too low numbers to maintain, so they wanted to add 26 more and be done with Rafale brand, 36+26=62 jets, just like the Mirage.

for the price of 26 Rafale-M, we could buy 50-60 Gripen-E/F???? You are so good on maths, like PKPRS...

 

[Akshat]

with the cost of 26 Marine Rafale, IAF whould have made the 2.5X of the Navel LCA which would have matured the technologis for the TEDBF

And all those NLCA would have been absolutely useless 😂😂

P.s. I am not even going into those faulty calculations.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

Rafale is also designed as a catobar plane but both demonstrated ski-jump capability, F-18 have a dedicated growler version which is game changer but it wasn't seeked by IN. For IN Rafale made more sense as it will save cost for india specific enhancement and training.

Both are catobar oriented. But as new jet rafale has many systems built into it. Unlike f18, which can use IRST on its pylons. Also USA can get away with it, USA fights with lots of force multiplier, Where It often has Air supiority. And F18 mainly functions as bomber. But IN need a jet which can do most of the stuff on its own.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

If IAF is so comfortable with Rafales why the government is orchestrating the MRFA tender and delaying it. Negotiate and finish the contract as they have already invested heavily in the infrastructure. Selecting any other fighter jet adds to the complexity and not feasible for IAF to maintan both

Many factors.
1. geo political pressure.
2. Babu Giri, we can get the jet on lower prizes.
3. To have the negotiable power at the table.
4. To see what else others offering. on ToT.
5. Fear that Opposition will again play corruption card, which any opposition will play. To come out as transparent.
6. A new narrative dassault cant deliver rafale for 7 years due to backlog. Can be a genuine point.

 

[Hey]

for the price of 26 Rafale-M, we could buy 50-60 Gripen-E/F???? You are so good on maths, like PKPRS...

Realistically 40-45 not 50-60, because it is not 50% cheap, rafale per unit is also 95 million $ for Rafale M deal but the cost go high when you buy extra engines, Spares, Training cost, Upgrades.

Ammunition is the biggest factor, look at Griphen per unit cost on internet & it uses the same ammunition that Rafale uses.

 

[ramdas]

Many factors.
1. geo political pressure.
2. Babu Giri, we can get the jet on lower prizes.
3. To have the negotiable power at the table.
4. To see what else others offering. on ToT.
5. Fear that Opposition will again play corruption card, which any opposition will play. To come out as transparent.
6. A new narrative dassault cant deliver rafale for 7 years due to backlog. Can be a genuine point.

This circus of MRFA has to end, France can set up an Indian assembly line to clear the backlog. The US cannot be trusted with an offensive platform because there are only permanent interests and it can change with time. Babugiri has only ruined the defense ecosystem.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Rafale M is not fully tested in a naval warfare. It is a theoretical design. France never had any naval warfare with any country.

Even the Rafale (Airforce) were used in warfare with only few third world countries

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

This circus of MRFA has to end, France can set up an Indian assembly line to clear the backlog. The US cannot be trusted with an offensive platform because there are only permanent interests and it can change with time. Babugiri has only ruined the defense ecosystem.

If only France has set-up its unit in Nagpur plot of 800acres which was to fulfill offset clause by this time we could have gone for additional purchase and dassault could have brought Rafel CKD kits to assemble fulfill orders from Indonesia, UAE and Indian requirements both for airforce and Naval variant. Why they were reluctant, what were the Geo political pressure on them and domestic, electoral, international compulsions and also budget constraints of India we won't know for sure.

 

[Surfer]

with the cost of 26 Marine Rafale, IAF whould have made the 2.5X of the Navel LCA which would have matured the technologis for the TEDBF

where is the engine, engine is in prison and will be released on bond of making a major purchase like MRFA.

 

[sanket]

Lol Eurofighter.

India will never go for Eurofighter. There are too many geopolitical complications when more than 1 partner is involved. And few of them are too woke in Firefighter.

Last Time (MMRCA) Both were Finalist & Rafale was L1 while EuroFighter was Runner up, This time too same situation, But IAF have already Invested in Rafale (India specific Enhancement) Only Thing If Dassault failed to meet MRFA on Unwilling to start Local production Line with Local pvt players & unwillingness for ToT sharing with complete Eco-system which I Think highly unlikely, Dassault may eventually agree for Local production with ToT with complete Eco-system, at last Dassault want to grow its Business. Bharat is the Only country which is buying both variant Airforce as well Naval

 

[Sandeep]

Rafale M is not fully tested in a naval warfare. It is a theoretical design. France never had any naval warfare with any country.

Even the Rafale (Airforce) were used in warfare with only few third world countries

They conducted some operations in Africa and Mali but not on a large scale

 

[Sandeep]

This circus of MRFA has to end, France can set up an Indian assembly line to clear the backlog. The US cannot be trusted with an offensive platform because there are only permanent interests and it can change with time. Babugiri has only ruined the defense ecosystem.

Even if Rafale set up a production line in India the total cost will easily cost $25 billion. Also France would never give 100% of the critical technology like radar, engines, jet computer, software, IRST etc so we would still have to rely on importing those critical technology and if they face a backlog of orders then we would have to wait in line.

 

[Sandeep]

The technology was much better, advanced and it’s more capable on every level compared to the USA jet. The navy needs to have the best jet as in a war our carrier will lead our navy into battle and we will only have 2 Rafale squadrons backed up by our Mig 29K. It can be useful in a support capacity but our navy will rely on the Rafale for the next 40 years until we can replace it with the TEDBF.

 

[Surfer]

They conducted some operations in Africa and Mali but not on a large scale

against people with Ak-47 walking.

 

[PKPRS]

Last Time (MMRCA) Both were Finalist & Rafale was L1 while EuroFighter was Runner up, This time too same situation, But IAF have already Invested in Rafale (India specific Enhancement) Only Thing If Dassault failed to meet MRFA on Unwilling to start Local production Line with Local pvt players & unwillingness for ToT sharing with complete Eco-system which I Think highly unlikely, Dassault may eventually agree for Local production with ToT with complete Eco-system, at last Dassault want to grow its Business. Bharat is the Only country which is buying both variant Airforce as well Naval

But both still cost $300Mln++, Typhoon $301Mln and Rafale $360Mln and so both are untouchable.

 

[Sandeep]

against people with Ak-47 walking.

Not all of them as some terror groups were armed with MANPADS.