Bombed-up Rafale and a Mirage (rear). (Photo : Dassault Aviation)
China claims India plans to deploy its new Dassault Rafale fighter bombers to its border areas with China and Pakistan, noting these new jets are capable of unleashing nuclear missiles at their targets.
State-run Global Times asserts India will position its 36 Rafale fighter jets along the border with both countries to enhance its deterrence capability. It noted the Rafale fighters in flyaway condition can mount tactical nuclear warheads, and this means India's nuclear deterrence capability will be greatly improved.
"India also wants to purchase the Rafale technology from Dassault but France refused, meaning France has no intention to help India promote its military industrial system," claimed Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.
"India picked French-made jet fighters because they are cheaper and have a nuclear deterrence capability."
Zhao said India was also considering buying US-made General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. This aircraft is also on the inventory of the Pakistan Air Force.
India's Cabinet last week approved the purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters from France's Dassault Aviation.
The Rafales give India a weapon potent enough to carry on the fight against Pakistan's F-16 air superiority fighter jets and the PAC JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighters produced jointly by Pakistan and China.
India hopes the Rafales, which can carry nuclear weapons, can help address the military imbalance in its favor. Despite the acquisition of the French fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) still needs more modern combat aircraft. IAF said it needs jets to fill 42 squadrons, 10 squadrons fewer than what it has now.
The Rafales will help fill the gap but numbers count when India has to face both Pakistan and China. India plans to equip the remaining squadrons with F-16s and HAL Tejas single-seat, multi-role light fighters made by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
Nuclear-armed Rafales in addition to India's new ballistic missiles lend more credibility to India's nuclear deterrent. Dassault will modify India's Rafales to make them nuclear-capable.
