This is the first training launch of a Meteor missile from a Marine Rafale fighter jet belonging to the air group aboard the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, following test launches in 2019 that led to the Meteor being declared operational.
MMRCA 2.0 - Updates and Discussions
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Here is the video for a test in 2019. So, the French Rafales can fire the Meteor (if these were successful).
The Centre d’expertise aérienne militaire (CEAM) is the main French aeronautical research and test centre, in south-west France, located at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, Aquitaine. CEAM tested the Meteor at Base aérienne 120 Cazaux in Febuary 2019.Meteor is an active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA.
The Centre d’expertise aérienne militaire (CEAM) is the main French aeronautical research and test centre, in south-west France, located at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, Aquitaine. CEAM tested the Meteor at Base aérienne 120 Cazaux in Febuary 2019.Meteor is an active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA.
As long as Frenchs are allowing seamless integration of any weapon we wants,there is nothing wrong in going for gtog orders for Rafales. If they are not ready to do that as a precondition for signingthe deal ,then go for EFT or F15EX or even upgraded super sukhoi or any aircraft having decent EW suit ,combat range, rate of climb, altitude & payload capacity instead of Rafales.
We all saw how a vintage aircraft lake jaguar & MKI a mediocre aircraft by today's standards brought havoc on paf facilities with the weapons we integrated on it. Air battles are now a days are not a specific model or weapon centric, rather a amalgamation of many systems, unless u are operating a true stealth aircraft. In reality we don't have access to any stealth aircraft today or atleast 10-15 years ahead.
Banking On Rafale Jets, France On Track To Dethrone Russia As India’s Top Defense Partner With $24B Deal
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has proposed an acquisition of 114 “Made in India” Rafale fighter jets to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). If accepted, will it come as a massive blow to Russia, which has been counting on the IAF’s purchase of the Su-57 stealth fighter to revive its export potential?The deal for Rafale is estimated to cost 2 lakh crore, or about a whopping $23.8 billion. The jets will feature 60% indigenous content and will be built in the country by Dassault Aviation and an Indian firm under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, according to reports.
The proposal was received by the MoD a few days ago and is currently under consideration by the different wings within the ministry, including the Defense Finance. For the deal to go through, the IAF proposal would have to be cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), and finally the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is headed by the Prime Minister.
The IAF has reportedly called upon the MoD to bypass the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program to directly opt for the Rafale, according to reports.
Though the selection of Rafale by the IAF triggered a wave of jubilation across the Indian defense community, it may have come as a major dampener for Russia, which has been aggressively pitching the Su-57E stealth aircraft to India for a long time.
As previously reported by the EurAsian Times, Russia sweetened the existing deal earlier this year by offering: local production of Su-57E, modernization of the Su-30MKI, and assistance with India’s own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which is currently facing gross delays.
The new offer was made to New Delhi as Russia struggled to export its most advanced fighter jet amid suspicions regarding its stealth, production delays, and Moscow’s occupation with the Ukraine War.
The potential purchase of Su-57 by India would have turned things around by injecting billions into Russia’s sanctions-hit economy. But more importantly, India’s acquisition of Su-57 would have served as a powerful endorsement, attracting buyers from the Global South who are denied access to US fifth-gen fighters, like the F-35, due to political restrictions or high costs, as recently explained by the EurAsian Times in a detailed report.
While the Defence Ministry or the Indian Air Force refrained from publicly discussing the Su-57 offer, Russia seemed to be upbeat with optimism. Russian officials were reportedly exploring investment plans to manufacture the Su-57 in India earlier this month, including a potential partnership with the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Notably, the IAF’s selection of Rafale comes weeks after reports in the Indian media, citing insider sources, indicated that India was considering the purchase of two to three squadrons of a fifth-generation fighter as a stopgap solution until the AMCA is ready for induction.
Biggest Contract For Dassault Aviation!
India’s proposed purchase of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation will be one of the largest defense deals in the country’s history, bringing the total Rafales in the IAF’s fleet to 150 and making India the largest operator of the aircraft outside of France.The acquisition of a multi-role fighter jet has been under consideration for a long time. Once the MiG-21s fly into the sunset this month, the IAF would be left with just 29 squadrons of fighter jets against the sanctioned 42.
The IAF’s preference for the French aircraft is based on multiple factors.
For one, the IAF has operated several French-origin aircraft through the decades, starting from the MD-450 Ouragan ‘Toofani’ to Mystère IVA during the Cold War era, and later on to Anglo-French Jaguar and Dassault Mirage 2000, both of which are still in service.
Moreover, France is one of India’s most trusted strategic defense partners, which has stood by it even when countries like the US sanctioned it, as earlier noted by Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd).
Second, Rafale was one of the leading platforms used in Operation Sindoor and was instrumental in launching stand-off attacks on targets inside Pakistan.
Despite Pakistan’s claims of downing the aircraft using its long-range PL-15E missile fired from the J-10C, Indian defense officials have maintained that the aircraft performed stunningly well, despite losing one jet due to a technical failure.
Third, India will have a stellar deal that aligns with its ‘Make in India’ policy. Dassault Aviation would collaborate with Indian partners, such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) or Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited, where Dassault holds a 51% stake.
Earlier this year, Dassault and TASL signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India. Under the scope of the partnership, TASL will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.
Separately, France-based Safran Aerospace announced plans in June to establish the Safran Aircraft Engine Services India in Hyderabad. This facility would be tasked with maintenance and overhaul of Rafale fighter jet engines, specifically the M88.
The establishment of these production sites in India would mark a significant step in technology absorption and strengthen India’s strategic autonomy by increasing its role in the global defence supply chain.
Currently, a full transfer of sensitive components like engine and avionics source codes remains contentious, as France has so far resisted sharing these to protect intellectual property and prevent reverse engineering or leaks.
IAF veterans say that India must request access to the Rafale’s source code to integrate indigenous weapons systems, even if it means giving sovereign guarantees to protect French proprietary technology.
Fourth, the defense cooperation between India and France has reached unprecedented levels. The Indian government is poised to approve a significant defense partnership between the French aerospace behemoth Safran SA and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the joint design and production of a potent 120-kilonewton jet engine that will power the nation’s twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
If approved, Safran-GTRE will develop at least nine prototypes, starting with 120 kN thrust and upgrading to 140 kN through enhancements in combustion, turbines, and materials.
India realized the hard way that the import of foreign engines, such as the GE F404 that powers Tejas, is a crucial handicap, as it gives the supplier the ability to sabotage India’s domestically developed fighter jet program.
Fifth, the IAF had earlier selected the Rafale for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). Rafale and Eurofighter were shortlisted based on technical evaluation, the IAF announced in April 2011.
Rafale was later identified as the lowest bidder, L1, and protracted contract negotiations began. As per the tender, 18 aircraft were to be purchased in fly-away condition, and the remaining 108 were to be manufactured by the public sector aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
However, Dassault was reluctant to work with HAL. In September 2016, the Indian government decided to scrap the deal and opted for 36 Rafales in flyaway condition as an emergency procurement.
This proves that Rafale was always the first and the best choice for the IAF. Moreover, there has been a broad consensus among experts and veterans regarding the acquisition of Rafale, instead of going through a lengthy, time-consuming contest.
Speaking to the EurAsian Times earlier, Air Marshal M. Matheswaran (retired), who oversaw the tendering process of 126 MMRCA for the IAF, said that not going ahead with the contract despite a long-drawn acquisition process was not the right decision.
“High-value defense contracts should be government-to-government as we have to keep the national interest paramount and not prove to the world that our tendering system is the best,” Air Marshal Matheswaran argued. “Those who meet our requirements and are ready for ToT should be asked to come and manufacture in India. There is no other way to give a boost to our industry and get a highly skilled workforce.”
This is what the IAF is currently proposing: the government-to-government (G2G) route. Additionally, analysts have also made the case for upgrading the existing Rafales to the F4 standard, making them more lethal and increasing their life span into the 2040s.
Sixth, the IAF’s preference would also be influenced by the fact that it already operates the Rafale and the Indian Navy is now in the process of buying 26 Rafale-Marine. Expanding that fleet would enhance interoperability and simplify logistics across the IAF and Navy through economies of scale.
France is already among India’s top defense suppliers. According to the SIPRI 2025 report, France (33%) was India’s second-largest defense supplier for the period 2020-2024, closely behind Russia, which supplied 36% of India’s arms imports.
If this deal goes through, France appears on track to surpass Russia as India’s biggest defense partner.
Despite Pakistan’s claims of downing the aircraft using its long-range PL-15E missile fired from the J-10C, Indian defense officials have maintained that the aircraft performed stunningly well, despite losing one jet due to a technical failure.
We hope that Thales will upgrade both RBE 2 And SPECTRA , To Meet the threat of Long Range Missiles and J 20 / J35 of PLAAF
By the end of 7th yr of signing of the deal, entire Rafale fleet of IAF was supposed to have been equipped with ISE upgrades. The 36th Rafale was supposed to come with ISE upgrades done. And here we are even after 9yrs of signing the deal, with Zero ISE and even the Meteor non operational on Indian Rafale. What a big let down from DA.
Safran too has failed to do its part for offset deal. They were supposed to get the Kaveri engine going but they ditched us and Kaveri has been made fit totally by Indian Efforts. I still maintain that we must not go for additional Rafles till DA/Safran deliver on the 2016 deal. Instead we must go for Su-35s and Su-57s. Russians do not charge us as high as French did and they share everything including source codes with us.
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So what are the reasons for this shortfall in performance and contract execution by DA
Then what explains the order by Navy for 26 Rafale Marines AND
Now this 114 MRFA Deal
Which We are reading about
Someone within MOD and IAF is getting good money. That is the only explanation we can have. We must not sign for additional Rafale beyond additional 36 as we have created Infra for four squadrons. If we get TOT for SU-57 engine Al-51 and for new engine for SU-30/35 called I-177S, than we dont need Safran for 5th gen engine and we must not give additional money to France for their failed promises. Once a cheat, always a cheat.
But there can be more reasons, which I can think of
1 ) The ISE ie India Specific enhancements are proving to be a Technically Very Difficult job
Meteor Integration has already started
2 ) The engine technology is not being offered by Russia
After all we make RD 33 and AL 31 under licence
So we know that Russians will only give us limited Technologies
3) Su 57 is not a good product and will take a long time to mature
4 ) Rafale F 4 and F 5 can meet all our requirements that we need for facing Chinese J 20 and J 35
5 ) Last but not the least
The worry about Trump and CAATSA being triggered by buying SU 57
After all we do need GE 404 and 414 , both for Tejas
- Integration of Israeli Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS): From Elbit Systems (e.g., TARGO II), allowing pilots to cue weapons and sensors via head movements for enhanced situational awareness.
- Low-Band Frequency Jammers: To counter enemy radar and electronic warfare threats in the lower frequency spectrum.
- Radar Warning Receiver (RWR): Advanced systems to detect and alert pilots to incoming radar-guided threats.
- Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) Enhancements: Improved long-range detection of heat-emitting targets without emitting radar signals.
- Integration of Indian Weapons: Compatibility with indigenous missiles like the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and possibly others.
- Cold-Start Engine Capability: For rapid engine starts in extreme cold conditions, crucial for operations in high-altitude areas like Ladakh.
- Towed Radar Decoys: To mislead incoming missiles by deploying decoys.
- Radio Altimeters: Enhanced for precise low-level flying in varied terrains.
- Doppler Radar Enhancements: For better ground mapping and navigation.
- Integration with Indian Communication Systems: Compatibility with IAF's secure data links and networks.
- Meteor Missile Integration: While the Meteor BVRAAM is standard on Rafale, India ensured full integration with its systems.
- Electronic Warfare Suite Upgrades: Including jammers and countermeasures tailored to regional threats.
- Software Modifications: For compatibility with Indian operational doctrines and satellite navigation (e.g., integration with IRNSS/NavIC).
- Other Customizations: Such as reinforced landing gear for rough-field operations and enhanced fuel systems for longer range.
These represent the ISE that are repeatedly being mentioned or quoted in various threads. There exists no specific document that lists them out and these are collated based on information made available by OSINT.
According to this 2022 report , ISE work is going on as planned
www.hindustantimes.com
France hands over 3 Rafale fighter jets with India-specific enhancements to IAF
In light of the Indian acquisition of Rafale, the Pakistani air force has decided to go for 25 Chinese made J-10 multi-role fighters as a counter and PLA Air Force has deployed the J-20, so called fifth generation fighter, at Hotan, Lhasa, Kashgar and Nyingchi air bases in Tibet and Sinkiang.
I read nov.12.2022:
… Livefist can confirm that the India-specific enhancements have in fact grown beyond the list of enhancements originally agreed upon. These mostly pertain to advanced communication systems, at least two additional custom sensor modes and the installation of Indian electronic warfare equipment. The Indian Air Force’s request for additional enhancements was accepted since they melded seamlessly into the testing that was already underway and did not present a procedural, cost overrun or time delay. It is understood that the additional enhancements flowed, at least in part, from the IAF’s use of Rafale fighters starting mid 2020 in the Ladakh sector amidst a large — and ongoing — military standoff with China….
www.livefistdefence.com
… Livefist can confirm that the India-specific enhancements have in fact grown beyond the list of enhancements originally agreed upon. These mostly pertain to advanced communication systems, at least two additional custom sensor modes and the installation of Indian electronic warfare equipment. The Indian Air Force’s request for additional enhancements was accepted since they melded seamlessly into the testing that was already underway and did not present a procedural, cost overrun or time delay. It is understood that the additional enhancements flowed, at least in part, from the IAF’s use of Rafale fighters starting mid 2020 in the Ladakh sector amidst a large — and ongoing — military standoff with China….
EXCLUSIVE: Final IAF Rafale In Sight, India Squeezes In More Enhancements - Livefist
A 36th Rafale fighter jet, the last airframe of an Indian order placed in 2016, will be delivered to the Indian Air Force a month from now, completing what France hopes is only the first order for the jet. The final airframe, actually the first to be built for India,…
www.livefistdefence.com
My browser’s AI gives me this answer:
India-specific improvements to the Rafale
The Rafales acquired by India have undergone a number of modifications to meet the country's specific operational requirements. The main improvements are as follows
Improved M88 engine
Adapted to operate in extreme environments (high altitudes, deserts).
Engine health monitoring sensors to maintain overall system health.
FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) improvements for optimum performance in extreme temperatures.
Doppler weather radar
Gives pilots advance warning of weather conditions (rain, turbulence).
Helps adjust the trajectory according to the conditions encountered.
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) with SIGMA
Integration of the Indian navigation system for greater efficiency in Indian theatres of operations.
Additional filtered oxygen generator
Particle filtering to reduce the risk of hypoxia for pilots, especially at high altitudes.
SPICE 1000 smart bombs
Integration of intelligent Israeli missiles for precise strikes.
ASTRA BVRAAM air-to-air missile
Integration of the Indian ASTRA missile, developed by the DRDO, for enhanced combat capabilities.
G4 Lightning electronic warfare pod
Integration of the IAF-proven electronic warfare pod used on most Indian fighter aircraft.
Improved SPECTRA electronic warfare system
Improved sensors and electronic countermeasures for better protection against threats.
Increased detection and warning ranges.
Quad Pack ejectors
Use of French Quad Pack ejectors for extended-range weapons.
Joint development with Israel for DEW EMP systems.
X Guard Fibre Optic Towed Decoy
Decoy system to counter ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles.
Deployable and retractable in flight, offering cost effective protection.
These improvements are designed to enhance the Rafale's operational capabilities in the Indian context, particularly in the face of potential threats in the region. /END
Defence deals are grade I secrets. You will never come to know what technology is being traded on a defence platform, apart from total money spent, that too will be shielded from public scrutiny.
It seems more of a balancing to act to keep Europe calm during Trump tariffs.
India till now doesnt have the TOT for AL31, AL51 is far fetched. But Some ToT will be there.
No,its a fantastic aircraft. Rafale did the job perfectly and IAF if now going for follow on oreder.