From Rafale Jets to Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Here Are Aircraft That Bolster IAF’s Capabilities

The fifth batch of Rafale fighter aircrafts arrived in India last month. Till now, over 20 out Rafale jets have been inducted into the Indian Air Force. In September 2016, India signed a deal with the France government to procure 36 Rafale jets in a “ready to fly” condition to overcome the shortage of fighter aircraft in the force. The entire deal was worth Rs 59,000 crore.

Experts believe that the induction of Rafale jet could be a “game changer” in the region. With Induction of Rafale aircraft, the IAF has now varied range of fighter jets to counter the adversities.

Here Are Fighter Jets of The IAF:

Rafale Fighter Jet:

It is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike. It has a maximum speed of 1,389 km per hour. First Batch of Five Rafale Jets Arrive in India; Dassault Aviation’s Aircraft To be Part of ‘Golden Arrows’.

Sukhoi Su-30 MKI:

It is a air superiority fighter jet with two seat long range and air standing patrol powered by two AI-31 FP turbofans with TVC. Range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures 3.75-hour combat mission. The aircraft has a top speed of 2120 Kmph.

Mirage-2000:

It Is Multi-Role, Single Jet, Fourth Generation Fighter Jet Powered By One Snecmam-53-P2 Turbofans Engine Producing 9,700 Kgf With Reheat. It Has A Maximum Speed Of 2,494 Km Per Hour (Approx.) And Combat Radius Of 700 Km.

HAL Tejas:

LCA Tejas (Picture Courtesy: Twitter/IAF)

LCA Tejas is a single seat and single jet engine, first fly-by wire (FBW) and multirole light fighter aircraft designed by hal under make in India. It is smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft with a top speed of 2,305 km per hour.

Jaguar:

It Is a twin-engine, single seater deep penetration strike aircraft of Anglo-French origin. It has a max speed of 1,350 km per hour.

Mig 21 Bison:

It is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft of Russian origin. It is an upgraded variant of Mig 21. It has a max speed of 2230 km per hour.

Mig-29 UPG: