In another demonstration of India’s ongoing quest for autonomy in the defense sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has asked French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation to integrate locally made weapons into the Rafale combat fighter.
This development would signify a major step forward for the ‘Made in India‘ initiative, potentially paving the way for Indian weapons to gain global recognition and market share. Simultaneously, the French industry’s acceptance of integrating systems manufactured outside its ecosystem would mark the breaking of a long-standing tradition.
The integration of indigenous systems with the Rafale would elevate the aircraft’s capability to a new level. The Astra missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is among the best of its kind, offering a high kill probability with a single shot and active terminal radar guidance.
The Astra is designed to neutralize a range of aerial threats, from maneuvering targets (like UAVs and fighter aircraft) to slow-moving aircraft, significantly enhancing Rafale’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The SAAW is a long-range, precision-guided anti-airfield weapon designed to strike ground targets with high precision up to a distance of 100 kilometers.
This move essentially merges Rafale’s performance with the precision and versatility of the Astra missile, thereby enhancing the IAF’s air combat capabilities. Notably, it also highlights India’s defense manufacturing ability, underscoring the possibilities of broader acceptance of Indian defense technology on the global market.
