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.

 

[Kira]

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.

 

[sanket]

The main difference is Combat Radius ,Omni Role capability E/W ,Meteor System & Detection Range with Radar apart From mention in Article .Rafale is far more Advance compare to LCA Teajas MK1A . Another advantage is Twin Engine one fails the other . safe Landing .But at the moment Rafale lacks Anti-Radiation Missile

 

[Anant]

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.

 

[GMR]

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

 

[kumar]

Rationale for mrfa is IAF has to augment it's number in medium weight category quickly and arrest falling squadron strength. Let's see how it progresses.

 

[RG]

Quantity is a quality of its own. Import lobby is working overtime since more Tejas is being ordered and the confidense in domestic product is rising.

 

[arwindpaul]

WTF. First of all the rational of comparing a complete package to just an airframe is foolishness.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

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.

 

[Pink Panther]

The main difference is Combat Radius ,Omni Role capability E/W ,Meteor System & Detection Range with Radar apart From mention in Article .Rafale is far more Advance compare to LCA Teajas MK1A . Another advantage is Twin Engine one fails the other . safe Landing .But at the moment Rafale lacks Anti-Radiation Missile

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.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Tejas is for defence where as rafale is for offence deep in to enemy territory.
India should have another 36 so as to have a good balance.
Already mirage was bought for that balance. now with belligerent China India will need more numbers.
To save foreign exchange,it's better to invest in ORCA and tedbf as they have similar performance of rafale

 

[Akshat]

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.

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.

 

[Akshat]

Quantity is a quality of its own. Import lobby is working overtime since more Tejas is being ordered and the confidense in domestic product is rising.

Yet deliveries are not happening 😂😂

 

[Akshat]

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.

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

 

[Frank]

Order 300 mk2 and cancel costly phoren maal MRFA...

Production may be 50:50 between Hal and some private company

Also IAF rejecting orca in 2016 was blunder

 

[Sunnyj]

Imho EF has a wider range of weapons and for complex missions require AMCA which at this point means F35 for us. For all the hype Rafale just will not cut it with Coronastan. Best bet is strong IADS with cheap autonomous drones, artillery and rocket force, Space and cyber force while building our own fighters, engines and MIC.

 

[Pramkumar]

Scrap the MRCA and invest in MK2 and ORCA

 

[Pink Panther]

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

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

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

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

 

[Pad UwU]

F15EX is the best and better choice f21 is also good than the Tejas mk1a 😹😹😹😹