at AFS Ambala
ISLAMABAD: The Indian Air Force successfully concluded its RafaleOperators’ Conference at Air Force Station Ambala, gathering operationalsquadrons, maintenance specialists, and senior leadership to optimise theperformance of its French-origin multirole fighter fleet. The two-day eventwitnessed participation from multiple Rafale-equipped bases, includingAmbala and Hasimara, alongside representatives from Air Headquarters,Headquarters Western Air Command, Naval Headquarters, and leading Frenchdefence companies.
Senior officers and technical experts engaged in detailed deliberations onoperational employment doctrines, fleet availability enhancement, andintegration of next-generation weapon systems. The conference placedparticular emphasis on refining tactics for beyond-visual-rangeengagements, electronic warfare capabilities, and network-centricoperations in contested environments. Maintenance crews shared experienceson achieving higher mission-capable rates through predictive diagnosticsand streamlined supply chain management for critical components.
Industry partners Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran, and Thales presentedupdates on ongoing upgrades, including enhanced radar modes, improvedengine life-cycle management, and the planned integration of indigenousweapons under India’s self-reliance initiatives. Air officers underscoredthe importance of continuous feedback loops between operators andmanufacturers to ensure the Rafale fleet remains at the cutting edge of aircombat technology amid evolving regional security challenges.
The platform reportedly facilitated candid exchanges on lessons learnedfrom recent exercises and operational deployments, with specific attentionto countering advanced air defence systems and conducting deep-strikemissions. Participants stressed that such interactions were vital formaximising the strategic deterrence value of the 36 Rafale aircraftcurrently in IAF service, while laying the groundwork for smootherinduction of additional platforms in the coming years.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to joint trainingprogrammes and accelerated adoption of emerging technologies such asartificial intelligence-assisted mission planning and advanced sensorfusion enhancements. Defence analysts view the gathering as part of India’sbroader effort to achieve full operational capability with its mostadvanced fighter platform ahead of potential future contingencies.
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Source: https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/iaf-today/rafale-conference-2025
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2081947
Tags: India, IAF, Rafale, Ambala, Dassault, MBDA, Safran, Thales
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