Why Is India ‘Not Interested’ In Older Rafale Jets But Is Keen On Obsolete MiGs & Mirages?
Published at : December 06, 2021
Director-General, Centre for Airpower Studies (CAPS), Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd), notes that the IAF currently operates four MiG-21 squadrons, five Jaguar squadrons, three MiG-29 (UPG) squadrons, three Mirage 2000 (UPG) squadrons, 12 Su-30MKI squadrons, two LCA squadrons and two Rafale squadrons. These collectively amount to 31 operational squadrons at present and highlight a shortage of 11 squadrons.
Chopra painted a hypothetical scenario where the IAF may potentially consider inducting more MiG-29s and Mirage 2000s among other aircraft to meet its 2035 target to operate 42 squadrons.
When asked if the acquisition of MiG-29s would be a workable option, former IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd) had told The EurAsian Times during an earlier interaction, “MiG 29 is a good option and that is why last year in October 2020, the defense minister has already placed an order for additional 21 MiG 29 aircraft.
Actually, we need more Rafales, but cost considerations are forcing us to look for other options. Let us hope our own LCAs and AMCAs come out faster.”
Military author, columnist and analyst Joseph P Chacko said: “Older Mirage-2000 is for replacing the depleting squadrons of the aircraft. Rafale squadrons are intact. IAF works on squadrons. It does not mix Mirage-2000 and Rafale in a single squadron. An entire lot of Mirages will be retained together, till then the squadron strength has been maintained.”
Former IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd), said: “To the best of my knowledge these second-hand Mirages are not fly-worthy. These are being bought for the spare parts and rotables, which will be used by our fleet. There are economic advantages of bulk purchase..[and for] immediate availability of spares to keep our own aircraft operationally available.”
Nitin J Ticku a strategic analyst with The EurAsian Times agrees with Joseph P Chacko and says – The aim of buying Mirage 2000s is only to keep the Dassault fleet operational and will be mostly used for spare parts. Buying aging, second-hand Rafales which would be technologically inferior to what India is acquiring now makes absolutely no sense.
Chopra painted a hypothetical scenario where the IAF may potentially consider inducting more MiG-29s and Mirage 2000s among other aircraft to meet its 2035 target to operate 42 squadrons.
When asked if the acquisition of MiG-29s would be a workable option, former IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd) had told The EurAsian Times during an earlier interaction, “MiG 29 is a good option and that is why last year in October 2020, the defense minister has already placed an order for additional 21 MiG 29 aircraft.
Actually, we need more Rafales, but cost considerations are forcing us to look for other options. Let us hope our own LCAs and AMCAs come out faster.”
Military author, columnist and analyst Joseph P Chacko said: “Older Mirage-2000 is for replacing the depleting squadrons of the aircraft. Rafale squadrons are intact. IAF works on squadrons. It does not mix Mirage-2000 and Rafale in a single squadron. An entire lot of Mirages will be retained together, till then the squadron strength has been maintained.”
Former IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd), said: “To the best of my knowledge these second-hand Mirages are not fly-worthy. These are being bought for the spare parts and rotables, which will be used by our fleet. There are economic advantages of bulk purchase..[and for] immediate availability of spares to keep our own aircraft operationally available.”
Nitin J Ticku a strategic analyst with The EurAsian Times agrees with Joseph P Chacko and says – The aim of buying Mirage 2000s is only to keep the Dassault fleet operational and will be mostly used for spare parts. Buying aging, second-hand Rafales which would be technologically inferior to what India is acquiring now makes absolutely no sense.
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