The Rafale is a 4.5-generation, twin-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation in France. With cutting-edge avionics, AESA radar, and in-flight refuelling capabilities, it is intended for duties involving air dominance, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrent.
India contracted the naval Rafale-M variant for its aircraft carriers and initially purchased Rafales for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which it has since utilised to modernise frontline squadrons.
A high speed of roughly Mach 1.8, a service ceiling of close to 50,000 feet, and a combat radius of more than 1,000 kilometres are among the key performance metrics. The Rafale can carry a variety of weaponry across several hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface weapons, and an internal 30 mm gun.
The Rafale has strategic relevance for India because it enhances air combat capability, offers sophisticated sensor fusion, and facilitates carrier-borne operations with the Rafale-M. Defence authorities have approved new procurement plans that call for a significant follow-on acquisition of more Rafale aircraft in addition to a focus on "Made in India" to increase domestic manufacture and knowledge transfer.
Rafales are designed to provide interoperability with allied systems and assist with filling squadron gaps in conjunction with domestic initiatives. Their operational deployment, which emphasises multirole flexibility and quick response, has also influenced India's aerial doctrine.
According to officials, follow-on purchases and local manufacturing will prolong deliveries over the following ten years and maintain strategic preparedness. As of late 2024 and early 2025, India had received 36 Rafales for the Air Force, while a separate purchase of 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the Navy was inked in 2025.
On this special edition of Battle Cry, host Gaurav Sawant leads a debate on India's defence modernisation strategy, weighing investments in expensive legacy platforms against scalable mass production of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, missiles, and rockets
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi, inaugurating a modern garment manufacturing facility alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel. The unit focuses on contemporary manufacturing techniques to create employment for women workers. The Prime Minister also attended an aerial display at Namo Ghat to mark the 94th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force. Around 100 aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi, and indigenous Tejas jets, along with the Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams, staged manoeuvres over the Ganges in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi to inaugurate a new garment manufacturing facility and witness the Indian Air Force's aerial display titled 'Wings Over Ganges' at Namo Ghat. Marking the 94th Raising Day of the Indian Air Force, the 90-minute flypast featured 94 aircraft, including frontline fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Tejas, alongside Prachand combat helicopters and the Surya Kiran aerobatics team. Aircraft from the Army and Navy also participated in joint formations. The newly inaugurated garment unit aims to boost industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh, create local employment for women, and link Banarasi textiles with global markets. Meanwhile, an opposition leader questioned the scheduling of the aerial display during the 488-year-old traditional Bharat Milap celebrations in Kashi. The speaker further targeted the central government over border security, citing viral remarks by the ITBP Director General and alleging silence over Chinese transgressions along the borders in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Varanasi as the Indian Air Force marks its 94th Foundation Day with the grand finale of the 'Wings Over Ganges' air show at Namo Ghat. The aerial spectacle features frontline fighter jets including Tejas, Rafale, and Su-30, along with transport aircraft and helicopter units. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team and Sarang display team are scheduled to showcase special formations over the river Ganga during the 90-minute flypast witnessed by over 12,000 spectators.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Varanasi to inaugurate a new garment manufacturing facility and witness an Indian Air Force aerial display at Namo Ghat. Marking the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force with the theme 'Wings Over Ganges', the air show features fighter jets including Tejas, Rafale, and Sukhoi-30MKI, along with Prachand combat helicopters and aircraft from the Army and Navy. Meanwhile, the garment plant aims to bolster the textile sector and generate local employment, particularly for women. However, criticism was raised over scheduling the air show during Varanasi's 488-year-old Bharat Milap tradition, alongside questions regarding Chinese border incursions.
India is moving ahead with one of its biggest fighter jet acquisition plans as France submits its detailed proposal for 114 Rafale jets, with 94 expected to be manufactured in India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The latest edition of Statecraft covers the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, with US forces conducting a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military and civilian infrastructure.
A recent Indian Air Force (IAF) document has again contradicted Pakistan's claims that India lost multiple Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. According to an Air Headquarters Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in June, the IAF has sought bids for a five-month bridge support package covering all 36 Rafale aircraft currently in service. The document, accessed by media reports, pertains to the entire fleet of 36 Rafale jets acquired by India from France under the government-to-government deal signed in 2016. The reference to all 36 aircraft has been cited as evidence against claims that any of the fighters were lost during the operation.
The Kerala Story sequel is at the center of a political firestorm in Kerala. After the release of the trailer of The Kerala Story 2, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called the sequel a hate-mongering film, accusing it of pushing a communal agenda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the India-France relationship as a force for global stability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held high-level bilateral talks at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, focusing on strengthening the 'Horizon 2047' strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron with a handshake and hug as they met at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, ahead of their bilateral meeting.
The big talking points of this episode of News Today are the mega showdown over the Epstein files between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the Bangladesh elections.
This episode of India First focusses on the mega defence deal to acquire 114 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force and Pakistan’s Supreme Court order for an urgent medical evaluation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan after a report said he has lost 85% of vision in his right eye.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets, marking a significant boost to the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities.
This edition of Super 6 examines the escalating tension between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council regarding the T20 World Cup match against India.
On this special report, Gaurav Sawant, Senior Executive Editor at India Today, examines the newly released Indian Air Force video documenting Operation Sindoor. The report details the precision strikes carried out in May 2025, where the IAF and Indian Army dismantled nine terror headquarters and hit key Pakistani air bases including Noor Khan and Sargodha. Gaurav Sawant notes that 'this video shows you how terror bases were dismantled in Pakistan' using BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Rafale jets. The programme features insights from Air Marshal Vinod Bhatia and Major General Sanjay Meston, who discuss the strategic significance of hitting targets deep within Pakistan's Punjab province. The discussion also highlights a Swiss military think tank report confirming India's total air dominance during the 88-hour conflict. Additionally, the report covers the 77th Republic Day parade's focus on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and addresses reports of a massive military purge within China's People's Liberation Army.
On this Special Report, Shivani Sharma reports from Delhi's Kartavya Path as India celebrates its 77th Republic Day with a powerful display of military synergy. The parade featured a dedicated tri-services tableau depicting 'Operation Sindoor', a counter-terror strike that decimated terror hubs in Pakistan following the Pehlgam attack. Shivani Sharma highlights the message of the parade: 'India will strike back, India will strike hard, and India will strike.' The showcase included the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash, and Abra missile systems, alongside a grand aerial flypast of 29 aircraft including Rafales and Sukhoi-30MKIs. The programme underscores India's firm resolve against state-sponsored radical Islamist terror and its commitment to defending sovereignty through indigenous 'Atmanirbhar' strength and tri-service unity.
This news report highlights the major military displays at India's Republic Day Parade, focusing on the celebration of 'Operation Sindhur'. The speaker notes that the 'Sindhur Formation', featuring Rafale, MiG-29, and Jaguar fighter jets, was a significant tribute to the operation's success. A key highlight was the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with the speaker stating it 'can accurately hit long distance targets with minimal error, as we witnessed during Operation Sindhur.' The bulletin further showcases India's indigenous defence capabilities, including the Namastu anti-tank missile system, the Arjun Mark-1 tank, and the Suryastra multi-calibre rocket launcher. The display also featured the Infantry Special Forces and advanced unmanned ground vehicles, emphasizing India's leap toward battlefield automation and self-reliance in defence. The report underscores the 'important messaging' sent through these displays regarding India's precision strike capabilities and its readiness to counter any external misadventures while maintaining modern battlefield dominance through indigenously developed technology.
Anchor Preeti Choudhry leads the coverage of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations from Kartavya Path, marking the first parade since the execution of Operation Sindoor. The event showcases India’s military strength and technological sovereignty, featuring a phased battle display, the S-400 air defence system, and the debut of indigenous hypersonic missiles. The aerial flypast includes the Operation Sindoor formation with Rafale and Sukhoi-30 jets. European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa attend as chief guests, highlighting geopolitical ties and ongoing India-EU trade negotiations. The broadcast includes analysis from Sandeep Unnithan and military veterans on defense self-reliance and the Gaganyaan mission, specifically recognizing astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla. Reports from Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and Chandigarh document nationwide celebrations, while Bill Gates acknowledges India's digital infrastructure and AI innovations. This bulletin captures the transition of India into a global geo-economic power, emphasizing the spirit of Vixit Bharat and the nation's commitment to its constitutional values.
