Rafale DH/EH of Indian Air Force : News and Discussions

Regarding the diamond-substrate GAN microwave power components in China, the current public reports indicate that they were first prepared in the laboratory in 2017, with a power density of 5.5W/mm, which is 2.1 times that of conventional SiC components. In 2022, the power density was further increased to 16W/mm.

Sure. That's about where diamond stands today.

But I was talking about miniaturization.
 
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So the same fairy story I've heard for 20 years. "It's the best" . When a piece of reality comes to the top, the story changes. "Just you wait till tomorrow." The current radar is old mirage technology that they put an AESA antenna on, It lacks a lot of things
old mirage technology with AESA antenna ????
Are you mad ?
A classical radar (ie for mechanical antenna) and an AESA one are just as different as a diesel engine and an electrical motor.
 
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Overall, it is a relatively old AESA.
first serialy produced delivery in 2012. The first in Europe, and coming with all the softwares of the mature PESA radar (because the pESA radar wos studued with AESA inmind, as an stop gape solution).
But since it received a lot of improvements.
 
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old mirage technology with AESA antenna ????
Are you mad ?
A classical radar (ie for mechanical antenna) and an AESA one are just as different as a diesel engine and an electrical motor.
The Rafale is old tech and a dead end. The new radar keeps getting delayed, now pushed out to 2030's, obviously there are problems.
lol...Let me post what someone that knows more than you said.
"
RDY is a development for the RDI with a programmable signal processor. Originally Thompson-CST proposed the RDX, a version of RDY with the “RADANT” antenna. While Dassault electronic proposed Antilope-60 a PESA version of the Radar on the Mirage 2000N. Thompson one but due to how French competitions work Dassault got part of the work share. As a result RBE2 is mostly the RDX design but with Antilope-60’s transmitter. The goal of RBE2 seems to have been robust multimode capabilities and interleaving, that seems to be why they wanted a PESA. However development of the software proved to be very problematic, especially the air to ground modes. this seems to be why the Rafale F1 came about.

RDY-2 does have more robust air to ground modes but that is the UAE exclusive version and it came later on after RBE2 was in production."
 
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first serialy produced delivery in 2012. The first in Europe, and coming with all the softwares of the mature PESA radar (because the pESA radar wos studued with AESA inmind, as an stop gape solution).
But since it received a lot of improvements.
Just so you don't miss the main point

"While Dassault electronic proposed Antilope-60 a PESA version of the Radar on the Mirage 2000N. Thompson won but due to how French competitions work Dassault got part of the work share. As a result RBE2 is mostly the RDX design but with Antilope-60’s transmitter.
 
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Just so you don't miss the main point

"While Dassault electronic proposed Antilope-60 a PESA version of the Radar on the Mirage 2000N. Thompson won but due to how French competitions work Dassault got part of the work share. As a result RBE2 is mostly the RDX design but with Antilope-60’s transmitter.
The rbe2aa was inferior to fa/18's apg 79 for a while.
 
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The rbe2aa was inferior to fa/18's apg 79 for a while.
I would say that it still is. The APG-79 was Boeing's radar for the 'F-35' comp. After they lost, they went to USN and offered the block ll update. Along with the other tech they had. Now the Block lll, better yet again

Three years ago. The APG-79 was retrofitted to the USMC legacy hornets, with a GaN antenna. Given what we know, obviously the first fighter with one.

 
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Just so you don't miss the main point

"While Dassault electronic proposed Antilope-60 a PESA version of the Radar on the Mirage 2000N. Thompson won but due to how French competitions work Dassault got part of the work share. As a result RBE2 is mostly the RDX design but with Antilope-60’s transmitter.
You really have to know nothing about radar to believe your story: the Antilope radar family is very good for terrain following, but it is a specialised radar for that purpose and performs very poorly for other functions. The RBE2 had to be multifunctional because the Rafale couldn't be fitted with two radars like the Mirage 4000, so proposing an Antilope as the basis for the RBE2 is ridiculous. In addition, the Antilope operates in the Ku band, while the RBE2 operates in the X band, and making a PESA in the Ku band at the time of the RBE2 tender would have been an impossible feat because there was no Ku band TRM available at that time.
 
The Rafale is old tech and a dead end. The new radar keeps getting delayed, now pushed out to 2030's, obviously there are problems.
lol...Let me post what someone that knows more than you said.
"
RDY is a development for the RDI with a programmable signal processor. Originally Thompson-CST proposed the RDX, a version of RDY with the “RADANT” antenna. While Dassault electronic proposed Antilope-60 a PESA version of the Radar on the Mirage 2000N. Thompson one but due to how French competitions work Dassault got part of the work share. As a result RBE2 is mostly the RDX design but with Antilope-60’s transmitter. The goal of RBE2 seems to have been robust multimode capabilities and interleaving, that seems to be why they wanted a PESA. However development of the software proved to be very problematic, especially the air to ground modes. this seems to be why the Rafale F1 came about.

RDY-2 does have more robust air to ground modes but that is the UAE exclusive version and it came later on after RBE2 was in production."
Just to show you how you are wrong : try to integrate OSF and RDY in the same nose cone of a Mirage 2000 or a Rafale....

You will then understand that they are 2 differents radars.
 
The rbe2aa was inferior to fa/18's apg 79 for a while.
RBE2 AA was a prototyp, using US made T/R modules. It showed a low range improvement (+25% vs PESA). It was made to show that Thales was mastering this technology, wainting for european made modules.

The serialy produce active RBE2 radar is called RBE2-AESA. it double the range of the PESA variant.
 

Dassault Aviation partners with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage for India and other global markets


(Saint-Cloud, Mumbai, June 5, 2025) - Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains. This facility represents a significant investment in India’s aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing.

Under the scope of the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems 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.

The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in FY2028, with the facility expected to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.

"For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India. Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL, one of the major players in the Indian aerospace industry, this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale, and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements", said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said, “This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey. The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation. It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms.”

The signing of these contracts reflects Dassault Aviation’s strong commitment to India’s ‘Make in India’ and AtmaNirbhar initiatives. This partnership aims to strengthen India’s position as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain while supporting its goal of greater economic self-reliance.​
 
I really think More Rafales will be acquired

That 114 MRFA competition is now just a formality


The fuselage manufacturing facility is part of the offset clause agreements under Rafale-M deal that we just signed.

It doesn't serve as an indication of any further orders (though I still maintain that at least 36 more are likely for IAF) any more than Tata having a S-92 cabin production line means we're buying S-92s.
 
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