India’s air defense capabilities are evolving with the indigenous HAL Tejas Mk 2 and the French Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Both aircraft serve critical roles but differ significantly in design philosophy, performance, and strategic implications. This article provides a detailed technical comparison to highlight their strengths and roles within the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Design and Airframe
The Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter with canard foreplanes, measuring approximately 15.3 meters in length and 10.9 meters in wingspan. Its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is around 24,500 kg, enabling it to carry a substantial payload and fuel. The aircraft structure makes extensive use of composites for weight reduction and stealth characteristics.
The Tejas Mk 2, also a single-engine delta-wing aircraft but larger than its Mk 1A predecessor, measures about 14 meters in length with a wingspan near 8.9 meters and a MTOW of roughly 17,500 kg. It incorporates a higher proportion of composite materials (~45%) for weight saving. The more spacious airframe allows integration of advanced avionics, increased fuel capacity, and additional weapon stations.
Powerplant and Performance
Rafale uses two Snecma M88-2 turbofan engines, each delivering approximately 50 kN of thrust in dry mode and 75 kN with afterburner. This twin-engine setup provides better thrust-to-weight ratio and redundancy, enabling maximum speeds of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of approximately 1,850 km with external tanks.
The Tejas Mk 2 is powered by a single General Electric F414-INS6 turbofan, producing 98 kN of thrust with afterburner. Despite being single-engine, it delivers a thrust-to-weight ratio close to 1 (0.97), enabling speeds up to Mach 2.0 and an extended combat radius of 1,250 km (standard) or up to 2,500 km with external fuel tanks, thanks to higher internal fuel capacity than the Mk 1A.
Avionics and Radar Systems
The Rafale is fitted with the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, capable of long-range detection, tracking multiple air targets simultaneously, and offering advanced fire control capabilities. Its electronic warfare (EW) suite includes Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), missile approach warning systems, and towed decoys.
Tejas Mk 2 will feature an indigenously developed DRDO AESA radar with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology providing higher power efficiency and detection range up to 200 km for airborne targets. The Mk 2 also integrates an advanced EW suite with onboard radar jammer, laser warning receivers, and secure datalink systems compatible with the IAF’s network-centric warfare doctrine.
Armament and Payload Capacity
Rafale boasts 14 hardpoints supporting a maximum external payload of 9,500 kg. It can carry a versatile mix of air-to-air missiles (MICA, Meteor BVRAAM), air-to-ground precision strikes (SCALP cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs), anti-ship missiles, and nuclear delivery capability.
The Tejas Mk 2’s 12+ hardpoints can carry around 6,500 kg of payload. It is designed to employ indigenous weapons such as Astra Mk-2 BVRAAM, BrahMos-NG cruise missile, and laser-guided bombs, increasing India’s self-reliance in armaments. The aircraft also supports mid-air refueling for extended missions.
Operational Roles and Cost
While the Rafale excels in deep strike, air superiority, and multirole missions with proven combat experience, the Tejas Mk 2 aims to fill the lightweight to medium-weight fighter segment with modern avionics, high agility, and lower acquisition and operational costs. The Mk 2’s production cost is estimated to be 4-5 times cheaper per unit than Rafale, allowing the IAF to expand its fleet size more economically and reduce dependence on foreign platforms.
Strategic Impact
The Rafale will continue to serve as a high-end multirole fighter, bridging capability gaps until fifth-generation fighters become operational. Meanwhile, the Tejas Mk 2’s indigenization aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, improving maintenance cycles, faster upgrades, and greater technological sovereignty. The Tejas Mk 2 represents a major leap forward in domestic aerospace development, while the Rafale remains a cornerstone of India’s strategic airpower with its robust, proven capabilities. Together, they form a complementary mix that enhances India’s combat readiness and self-reliance in defense aviation.
1. Unless source code is provided by Rafale and Indian avionics and weapons integration (Radar, Brahmos etc.) are allowed and allowed, India may not procure more than 2 squdrons of Rafale.
2. Buy 2 squadrons of Su 57 and set up JV plant in India for manufacture of additional fighters and continuous upgradation of Su 57 when Russia is offering source code and all out support for integration of Indian weapon system.
An IIT alumnus
19/09/2025
Thank you for your insight. You raise a valid point about source code access, which is indeed critical for integrating Indian avionics and weapons like BrahMos. Limiting Rafale procurement without source code makes sense to maintain operational flexibility.
Regarding the Su-57, India’s engagement with Russia for joint production and technology transfer could be a game-changer, enabling domestic manufacturing and continuous upgrades while ensuring strategic autonomy. However, Russian equipment has its issues. India walked out of this program in 2018, but with an option to join back in future. The program was called FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) back then.