After the border conflict between the Indian and Chinese military in the Galvan Valley, India has high expectations for the French fighters Rafale. To 2025 years in the Indian Air Force should appear 36 such combat aircraft armed with Meteor air-to-air guided missiles and SCALP cruise missiles. In India they consider, that the appearance of these fighters with the named means of destruction will help to effectively counter China.
Actually, fighter fighters, generational 4++, will not be able to help India, if the conflict escalates from a "stone-stick" to a truly military confrontation, including air confrontation. Such a confrontation, naturally, not in India’s interests, nor China, however there are forces on the planet, for whom the real dream is to push the foreheads of these two giants.
One of the important issues in relation to the purchase of Rafale fighters by India is their cost.. As noted by "Military Review", open Indian sources called an incredible price - each “Rafal” costs more to the budget of India 200 million US dollars! This is more than twice as expensive as the fifth-generation American fighter F-35 and about three times that amount., by which J-20 purchases China for its Air Force. In other words, on 36 French-made Rafale fighter, which will appear in the Indian Air Force, China can triple with a large number of its fifth generation fighter J-20 – for the same money. Even if in some ways the characteristics of the Chinese combat aircraft lag behind the French 4++, the, what is called, able to "crush the quantity".
But China is buying hot cakes for its air force and other fighters. One of those is the J-16. In China itself, it is considered an analogue of the Russian Su-35. If you compare its characteristics with the characteristics of the French "Raphael", the aircraft produced in France cannot be called an advantage. for example, Rafale maximum speed - about 1,8 Maha, and J-16 - 2,2 Maha. Rafale practical ceiling at about 3,8 Km lower, than the same J-16. Even in engine traction, the Chinese Su-35 is superior to the French combat aircraft..
This is to ensure, that even if India throws all those “Rafali” to the borders of China, which they have contracted, then no small and victorious war will happen for her. While the superiority in technical aircraft equipment is still on the side of China. Therefore, it is 100 percent better to discuss complex issues at the negotiating table, to prevent third forces from taking advantage of the situation to add oil to the fire.
