In this article, I wish to point out a few reasons why India chose Rafale. The list that follows is not exhaustive and I accept that some points may be left out. I have tried my best to provide correct information, facts and figures. Please use the comment section to add a point/express your opinion.
1. Beyond visual Range capabilities (Meteor missile)- Meteor is a radar-guided Beyond visual range air-to-ait missile (BVRAAM). The Meteor missile is manufactured by MBDA. It is one of the most competent missiles in the world, capable to engage highly manoeuvrable targets including jets and UAVs.
2. Mica Missile- Mica is an air-to-air all-weather fire and forgets short/medium-range missile. A Mica launched from a Rafale has successfully on June 11, 2007, for the very first time in aviation history destroyed a target behind the launcher, the target was designated by another aircraft and coordinates were transmitted by Link-16.
3. Engines- Rafale can lift 1.5 times its own weight. The M88-2 is a new-generation turbofan engine offering a high thrust-to-weight ratio with easy maintainability, high despatch reliability and lower operating costs.
The M88-2 power plant is rated at 10,971 lbs dry and 16,620 lbs with afterburner. It is equipped with redundant “Full Authority Digital Engine Control” (FADEC), which provides for carefree engine handling anywhere in the flight envelope: the throttle can be slammed from combat power to idle and back to combat power again, with less than three seconds from idle to full afterburner.
4. Combat proven- From 2007 to 2011, French Air Force and Navy Rafale fighters were engaged in countless combat missions in Afghanistan where they demonstrated a very high proficiency and a tangible military value.
In 2011, French Air Force and French Navy Rafale fighters were successfully engaged in coalition operations over Libya.
5. Multi-role-
Air-defence / air-superiority,
Anti-Access/Aera Denial,
Reconnaissance,
Close air support,
Dynamic Targeting,
Air-to-ground precision strike/interdiction,
Anti-ship attacks,
Nuclear deterrence,
buddy-buddy refuelling.
6. Low RCS- The RCS of the Rafale is estimated to be about 1m2. This enhances its stealth capabilities.
7. French agreement to nuclear weapon delivery - “One reason for the political decision in favour of France’s Rafale was because the French had no problem with the Rafale being modified to carry a nuclear payload,” said former Indian ambassador to France Rakesh Sood. The current nuclear-capable bombers Mirage-2000 and Jaguar are getting old despite and India needed to fill this void with a modern aircraft to potentially take over the air-based nuclear strike role.
8. Air to ground scalp missile - Storm Shadow / SCALP is the air-launched long-range, conventionally armed, deep strike weapon, designed to meet the demanding requirements of pre-planned attacks against high value fixed or stationary targets.
Able to be operated in extreme conditions, the weapon offers operators a highly flexible, deep-strike capability based around a sophisticated mission planning system.
Storm Shadow / SCALP has been put into operations with the Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in 2003 and was used in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya. The weapon is now in service with three other nations giving unrivalled deep strike capability. Storm Shadow / SCALP is operated from Tornado, Rafale, Mirage 2000 and in the future from Eurofighter Typhoon.
CHARACTERISTICS-
Weight: 1300 kg
Length: 5.10 m
Range: In excess of 250 km
9. Hammer missile- The 20 to 70-kilometre range HAMMERS (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) are designed to destroy bunkers, hardened shelters and other targets in all terrains.
10. Spectra electronic warfare suite- Protection of the Rafale is entrusted to the SPECTRA (Self-Protection Equipment to Counter Threats for Rafale Aircraft), a multi-spectral integrated defensive aids suite that has been developed by Thales in partnership with MBDA.
11. Multi-sensor data fusion- In essence, the “multi-sensor data fusion” concept implemented into the Rafale allows the pilot to act as a true “tactical decision-maker”, rather than being only a sensor operator.
12. RBE2 / AESA – “ACTIVE ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ARRAY” RADAR - Compared to radars with conventional antennas, unprecedented levels of situational awareness are attained with earlier detection and tracking of multiple targets.
With its superior beam agility and its enormous computing power, the RBE2 offers outstanding performance that cannot be replicated by mechanical scanning radars.
Sources-
Very informative! Also to add a point, although the overall cost of the fighter may seem a bit high it is to be noted that just SPECTRA contributes to almost 30% of the total aircraft cost, that's how much the French priorities EW.