In a significant diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a historic visit to Bangladesh, marking the first such visit by a French President in 33 years. This visit comes at a crucial juncture as two European contenders, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale, compete for a contract to supply fighter jets to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).
Bangladesh has been diligently working on modernizing its armed forces as part of its Forces Goals 2030 initiative. As part of this modernization effort, the BAF recently inducted 16 Chengdu J-7 fighter jets from China. Additionally, a tender was floated in the fiscal year 2017-2018 for the procurement of eight Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA), with the potential for an order of four more aircraft in a subsequent phase.
While the BAF was actively evaluating the contenders, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its modernization plans. India also entered the competition by offering its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), leveraging its geographic proximity. However, Bangladesh appears to be leaning toward selecting a European fighter jet for its air force.
A Bangladeshi official commented, “Bangladesh will likely opt for a European aircraft – Eurofighter Typhoon or French Rafale. But nothing is final before the next elections.” Notably, the presence of Rafale aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet seems to have increased the odds in favor of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
India has already inducted 36 Rafales into its air force and is in the process of acquiring 26 Rafale M aircraft for its naval operations. This induction has significantly bolstered the reputation of the Rafale, manufactured by the prominent French aerospace company Dassault.
The delay in finalizing the fighter jet contract for the BAF, expected to extend into the next year, might have played a role in President Macron’s timely visit to Bangladesh. Macron, who was attending the G-20 summit in India, seized the opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties during this two-day visit.
In recent years, France-Bangladesh relations have seen substantial growth, with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding three billion Euros. Notably, Bangladesh’s first-ever satellite, Bangabandhu-1, was developed by the French company Thales.
Rafale vs. Eurofighter Typhoon Dogfight:
The competition between Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon is not a new one, as these two European-made aircraft have often found themselves in fierce rivalry. Both aircraft fall under the category of medium-weight fighters and share European origins.
Initially, five European nations collaborated to develop a unified European fighter jet. However, disagreements over the fighter’s features and capabilities led France to withdraw from the consortium, ultimately leading to the creation of the Rafale.
The divergence in design philosophies is notable, with the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy aiming for an air superiority fighter, drawing from Cold War lessons. In contrast, France pursued a lightweight fighter with enhanced navy capabilities.
Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Military Technology at the Royal United Services Institute, explained that despite their separate development paths, Rafale and Eurofighter have some similarities due to their shared initial development work.
Rafale, a twin-engine fighter jet, is renowned for its versatility, capable of handling both long- and short-range missions. Classified as ‘omni-role,’ this aircraft excels in surveillance, air-to-ground strikes, air-to-air dogfights, and can even carry tactical nuclear weapons. Rafale has proven its mettle in various conflicts, including engagements in Afghanistan, Mali, Libya, Syria, and Iraq.
The French Air and Space Force (FASF) operates the upgraded F3-R standard version of Rafale, featuring advanced capabilities such as the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile and the Thales Talios laser designator pod.
On the other hand, the Eurofighter Typhoon is a delta-winged, beyond-visual-range, close-air fighter with surface attack capabilities. Notably, it can achieve ‘supercruise’ – sustained supersonic flight without using an afterburner.
While these aircraft may have their unique strengths, the likelihood of them encountering each other in combat remains low. Rafale pilot Pierre-Henri Chuet emphasized that the two aircraft should not be frequently compared, given their distinct designs and philosophies.
The competition for the BAF fighter jet contract is expected to continue, and both Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon remain formidable contenders for this prestigious deal.