France's Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force

Updated: November 30, 2012 00:45 IST

Earlier this year, India selected Dassault Aviation of France as its preferred bidder in a $10 billion contest to supply its air force with a new fleet of advanced combat aircraft, the Rafale.

The Rafale is a twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft and is called an "omnirole" fighter by its manufacturer. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use and for carrier-based operations. Apart from France, India would be the only other country to use the Rafale. Through this photo gallery, we take a detailed look at the aircraft in its many variations.

France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Earlier this year, India selected Dassault Aviation of France as its preferred bidder in a $10 billion contest to supply its air force with a new fleet of advanced combat aircraft, the Rafale.

The Rafale is a twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft and is called an "omnirole" fighter by its manufacturer. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use and for carrier-based operations. Apart from France, India would be the only other country to use the Rafale. Through this photo gallery, we take a detailed look at the aircraft in its many variations.

Rafale armed with Mica air-to-air missile in air superiority configuration (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
A Rafale pulls a high G turn (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
The Rafale carries 9.5 tonnes of ordnance (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale equipped with Meteor extreme long range air-to-air missile (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale with METEOR air to air missile (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
METEOR air to air missiles have a range more than 100 kms (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale armed with AASM (Hammer) laser guided bomb (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale operates in any weather condition, day or night (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale on mission (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale armed with laser guided bombs (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Carrier-borne variant of the Rafale (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale armed with Hammer smart bombs (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale armed with SCALP long range ground attack stand-off missile (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale flying into the sunset (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale's cockpit (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale in reconaissance mission configuration with AREOS pod (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale blast off the deck of carrier (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale reconnaissance pod (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale refuelling midair (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale air to air refuelling (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Closeup of Rafale refuelling mid air (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Single and twin seat Rafale omnirole fighters in flight (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Two Rafales split (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Two-ship formation of Rafale omni-role fighters (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Maritime version of Rafale (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale over French carrier de Gaulle (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafales on deck of aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale operating off French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale traps arrestor hook on landing onboard carrier de Gaulle (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)
France\'s Rafale Superfighter, soon in the Indian Air Force
Rafale preparing for a mission (Image credit: Dassault Aviation)

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