Know Your 'Rafale'

[JAYRAM]

Tuesday, March 27th 2012 - 12:49 UTC

Brazil and India discussing military accord based on the French Rafale fighter jet

President Dilma Rousseff plans to use her New Delhi visit later this week to sound out Indian leaders on the French Rafale fighter jet, which she is considering buying to beef up Brazil's air force.

On Wednesday/Thursday Rousseff is to attend the New Delhi summit of the BRICS (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa) nations aiming to discuss increased cooperation among the five emerging powers, including the establishment of their own development bank.

The next day Rousseff will begin a state visit in India, and officials say the Rafale, which India has selected for its air force, will be a top agenda item.

The Rafale, made by French firm Dassault, is in competition with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, manufactured by US aviation giant Boeing, and Swedish manufacturer Saab's Gripen jet, for a Brazilian contract for 36 aircraft valued at 4 to 7 billion dollars.

"The exchange of ideas, impressions" on the Rafale "is certainly beneficial for us," Maria Edileuza Fonteneles Reis, a senior Brazilian foreign ministry official, said last week.

"India's decision, which has not yet been formalized, could have an impact on Brazil's choice because it would show that the Rafale, which so far has never been exported to another country, has one customer," said Nelson During, a respected Brazilian defence experts who runs the Defesanet website.

"It could resurrect an old project debated by the two countries in 2002 to join hands to produce the same plane," he added.

Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim travelled to India in February to discuss prospects for a "technical military accord."

"It's extremely interesting that the two countries are discussing a military accord" since each country could complement each other in the industrial sector, said During, recalling that India and Brazil plan to modernize their fighter jet fleet and develop a nuclear submarine.

A senior Brazilian government source said Rousseff will decide on which fighter jet to choose after her trip to India, her visit to Washington in April, and the French presidential election in May.

Rousseff also plans to commit to boosting bilateral trade with India from 9.2 billion dollars last year to 15 billion by 2015, Reis said.

The two countries have developed closer ties since the creation of the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) forum, launched in 2003 to boost South-South cooperation ties.

Brazil and India discussing military accord based on the French Rafale fighter jet — MercoPress

 

[hit&run]

30032012 - Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar to Dassault Aviation - Thales Group

The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft under full-scale production with an active-array radar.

 

[Armand2REP]

First Rafale To Be Equipped With AESA This Summer


PARIS — Thales delivered in February a first series-production RBE2 active electronically scanned array radar to Dassault Aviation for the Rafale fighter jet, the electronics company said in a March 29 statement.

"In February, Thales delivered the first series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, France," the company said.

An active scanned radar is considered to be essential to selling a modern combat aircraft in export markets.

"The radar will now be installed on the Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defense procurement agency (DGA) this summer," Thales said.

"The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft under full-scale production with an active-array radar," the company said.

France in the last decade diverted money from ordering Rafales to spend on the development of the AESA radar, which will be fitted as standard on the fourth tranche of 60 Dassault aircraft ordered in 2009.

A Thales executive estimated in July 2010 that the entry into production of AESA radars was the fruit of more than 10 years' work and 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) of government and company investment.

A first delivery of initial low-rate production radars began in 2010.

The RBE2 radar is intended to boost the Rafale's range, interception capabilities, its tracking abilities in a multithreat environment, and to improve its countermeasures.

The radar's other benefits include allowing the Rafale to be armed with the MBDA Meteor long-range missile, which is still under development, along with its high reliability and greater resistance to jamming.

First Rafale To Be Equipped With AESA This Summer | Defense News | defensenews.com

Rafale beats the competitors by several years. It wasn't supposed to get it until next year but induction now solidifies France's position as the only non-US option for AESA radars.

 

[p2prada]

Armand. The plan was for Rafale to field the AESA in 2012. This was mentioned since 2009.

 

[Armand2REP]

Armand. The plan was for Rafale to field the AESA in 2012. This was mentioned since 2009.

The Tranche 4 aircraft were ordered by the DGA in 2009 and will be delivered by Dassault Aviation to the French Air Force from 2013.

Thales AESA RBE2 radar validated on Rafale - Thales Group

 

[pankaj nema]

Armand. The plan was for Rafale to field the AESA in 2012. This was mentioned since 2009.

Please don t be so Harsh

It is just a delay of one year

Compare that too our BELOVED LCA

Even our Russian friends take many more years to deliver what they promise

 

[Drsomnath999]

Dassault Aviation has launched a beautiful video : Rafale Before Flying
ENJOY

 

[Armand2REP]

It was never a matter of technical difficulties. The delivery order was cut back due to funding.

 

[p2prada]

Please don t be so Harsh

It is just a delay of one year

Compare that too our BELOVED LCA

Even our Russian friends take many more years to deliver what they promise

I am being just the opposite.

The Tranche 4 aircraft were ordered by the DGA in 2009 and will be delivered by Dassault Aviation to the French Air Force from 2013.

Thales AESA RBE2 radar validated on Rafale - Thales Group

The article talks of Tranche 4. I am talking about AESA on Rafale. This one is going on Tranche 3. C137 is a tranche 3 Rafale.

I remember reading very well that the RBE-2 will be operational this year.

 

[Armand2REP]

Read the whole section, it will clarify the statement.

Further clarification...

The AESA version of the Thales RBE2 radar will be introduced into Rafale in 2013.

French air force chief confident of Rafale victory in Indian contest

With the F3-04T standard, which is due for delivery in 2013, the Dassault Aviation Rafale will receive its active, electronically scanned array RBE2 radar, developed by Thales.

Plans For Further Rafale Upgrades Emerge | AVIATION WEEK

RBE-2 AESA qualification in 2012 and deliveries in 2013

Rafale News: June 2011

The first French Rafales with the AESA radar are to be delivered in 2013.

AESA for India: Thales Puts It Back On the Radar Screen

If you need any more clarification, just let me know! :thumb:

 

[p2prada]

Read the whole section, it will clarify the statement.

Further clarification...

If you need any more clarification, just let me know! :thumb:

I don't think you understood the point I was making. RBE-2 AA has still not achieved IOC. It is quite like how LCA is going to be delivered this year but IOC and FOC are still some ways to go. The RBE-2 AA is currently seeing it's first induction on the Tranche 3 aircraft as was already reported many years ago. Now they will undergo actual field validations by ALA and this will go on for 10 months by which time IOC will be achieved and FOC a few months after. The FOC version on Tranche 4 will be the final version for the last 60 jets.

Now you are right if you are talking about FOC version. But that does not mean induction has not already been carried out as we see today. This was always the plan and Thales delivered.

 

[Armand2REP]

Indians propose technological partnership if Dilma choose the Rafale

BRASILIA - The bilateral meeting between Brazil and India, Hyderabad House, the Indian government informed the President that Rousseff if she opts for the purchase of Rafale fighters, similar to what India did, the Indians are interested in establishing a technology partner with Brazilians to set up a joint project of technology transfer. According to the offer, the Indian government's willingness to transfer the information they receive in relation to the Rafale, and the three countries - Brazil, India and France (the airplane manufacturer) could then work together in a partnership project technology.

The call was made at the time that India had several offers of cooperation with Brazil, in different sectors, for an Indian ministers, who attended the meeting expanded. The President Dilma, however, gave no answer to the Indians, or weave any more detailed comment on the subject. 'Not fit her comment. The offer was made at the time that India had proposed a partnership in various areas and this would be just another one, 'he told a member of the Brazilian delegation that was present at the meeting. 'They offered cooperation and Brazil will still look at it, "confirmed another party of the president.

Indianos propõem parceria tecnológica caso Dilma opte pelo caça Rafale -  Últimas Notícias - MSN Estadão

 

[p2prada]

Rafale for Brazil is nearly a done deal then. We were looking at a partnership with them for PAKFA, but it was not to be. So, a partnership with them on Rafale is the next best thing.

 

[Armand2REP]

Brahmos on Rafale?!?

Livefist: BrahMos Considers All-New AShM For MiG-29K & MMRCA

 

[p2prada]

This is a pretty interesting development.

A Brahmos 3 for Rafale would be a big boost to capability. Brazil will be watching this with interest.

 

[Drsomnath999]

Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar to Dassault Aviation
Neuilly-sur-Seine РIn February, Thales delivered the first series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in M̩rignac, France. The radar will now be installed on Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this summer. A comprehensive three-month flight test programme conducted with the first production RBE2 AESA radar at the Istres air base demonstrated the qualities of the radar and confirmed the expected levels of performance prior to delivery to Dassault Aviation.

The RBE2 AESA radar was delivered in line with the contract schedule, demonstrating the new radar's technological maturity and further consolidating Thales's European leadership in radars for combat aircraft.

The RBE2 AESA will give the Rafale a number of key advantages:
Extended range for full compatibility with the latest-generation long-range missiles, such as the Meteor, combined with the ability to detect low-observable targets
Higher reliability for reduced cost of ownership (no major maintenance is required on the active array for 10 years)
Waveform agility for high-resolution synthetic aperture (SAR) imagery and increased resistance to jamming

The Rafale will be the only European combat aircraft under full-scale production with an active-array radar. The operational superiority of this omnirole combat aircraft, which was demonstrated most recently during Operation Harmattan in Libya, is now further assured for the full spectrum of French Air Force and Navy missions relying on the new technology.
30032012 - Thales delivers first production RBE2 AESA radar to Dassault Aviation - Thales Group

 

[Drsomnath999]

Legendary aviation reporter JOHN LAKE reports in air international magazine that

IS RAFALE THE MOST WANTED FIGHTER IN 2012

sorry i hadnt bought the magazine or else i would have scan it & posted it's pics .
ANY ways if some of u can buy this magazine & post it's info in this thread ,ur contribution shall highly appreciated

 

[Parthy]

Thales Delivers First Production RBE2 AESA Radar to Dassault Aviation

In February, Thales delivered the first series-produced RBE2 radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA) to the Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, France. The radar will now be installed on Rafale C137, the first Rafale with this new capability, which is scheduled for delivery to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this summer.

A comprehensive three-month flight test programme conducted with the first production RBE2 AESA radar at the Istres air base demonstrated the qualities of the radar and confirmed the expected levels of performance prior to delivery to Dassault Aviation.

The RBE2 AESA radar was delivered in line with the contract schedule, demonstrating the new radar's technological maturity and further consolidating Thales's European leadership in radars for combat aircraft.



Read more: Thales Delivers First Production RBE2 AESA Radar to Dassault Aviation | Defense Technology News at DefenceTalk

 

[ErnestoMM]

I appreciated

Oh, that's Great Sir !!

 

[Sancho]

Rafale for Brazil is nearly a done deal then. We were looking at a partnership with them for PAKFA, but it was not to be. So, a partnership with them on Rafale is the next best thing.

We are not seeking a partnership, that's only a myth that Brazilian media is spreading, A.K. Antony has already dismissed that. For Brazil it would be a way to reduce costs and industrial benefits, for us it wouldn't be an advantage, because of Brazils smaller order.
More welcomed would be, if they would integrate MAR 1 anti radiation missile to Rafale, this would increase it's capabilities and would could get some more infos about the capabilities of the missile, which PAF has now as well.