SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The unveiling of the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) scale model by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) at Aero India 2025 has sparked a fiery online debate: Is India’s next-generation naval fighter a copy of the French Rafale? The TEDBF’s sleek canard-delta configuration, twin engines, and overall silhouette bear an uncanny resemblance to Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, fueling speculation across forums, social media, and defence blogs.
While some hail it as a testament to convergent design evolution, others cry foul, accusing ADA of reverse-engineering the IAF’s Rafale fleet. An ADA official, speaking to idrw.org, has firmly dismissed these claims, shedding light on the design process, the Navy’s role, and the TEDBF’s distinct features—such as Diverterless Supersonic Inlets (DSI), wing-folding mechanisms, and a heftier 26-ton Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)—that set it apart from its French counterpart.
The timing adds fuel to the fire. India’s recent acquisition of 36 Rafale jets for the IAF and 26 Rafale-Ms for the Navy under a ?50,000 crore deal has deepened ties with Dassault. Critics argue that ADA, with access to Rafale data through offset clauses or IAF interactions, might have borrowed heavily from the French design. But is this resemblance a case of imitation, inspiration, or mere coincidence?
An ADA official involved in the TEDBF program, speaking to idrw.org, categorically rejected the reverse-engineering theory. “There’s no copying here. We didn’t have access to the IAF’s Rafale fleet or its technical blueprints,” the official asserted. “The TEDBF design emerged from two competing proposals evaluated by ADA. The Navy, as the end user, selected the current configuration for its operational needs.” This process, the official emphasized, was driven by indigenous expertise honed through the LCA Tejas and Naval LCA programs—not French blueprints.
While the TEDBF shares a superficial likeness with the Rafale, a closer look reveals significant divergences Unlike the Rafale’s traditional air intakes, the TEDBF employs DSI, a stealth-enhancing feature that eliminates moving parts, reduces radar cross-section, and cuts maintenance costs—borrowing from the AMCA, not Rafale.
Tailored for carrier operations on INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya, the TEDBF’s folding wings are optimized for deck space, a feature absent in the Rafale M though ADA claims its design is independently engineered.
At nearly 2 meters longer than the Rafale M (14.36 meters) and boasting an MTOW of 26 tons—1.5 tons heavier than the Rafale M’s 24.5 tons—the TEDBF is a larger beast, reflecting greater payload and fuel capacity for extended maritime missions.
The Navy’s choice of the current design aligns with its operational roadmap. The TEDBF, a “5th Gen Minus” jet, prioritizes carrier compatibility, multirole capability, and affordability over full stealth—a contrast to the stealthier F-35 or AMCA. Its projected induction by 2036-2038 fills a gap left by the ageing MiG-29K fleet, complementing the 26 Rafale M’s rather than mimicking them. The Navy’s input, honed by decades of operating diverse platforms, shaped a jet tailored to Indian needs—range, endurance, and deck efficiency—not a photocopy of France’s offering.
The logistics of reverse-engineering a Rafale are dubious. The IAF’s fleet, based at Ambala and Hasimara, operates under strict Dassault oversight, with no evidence of ADA accessing proprietary data. Offset agreements with Indian firms focus on manufacturing components, not design secrets. Moreover, the TEDBF’s development predates the Rafale-M deal, with conceptual work starting in 2019—hardly a timeline for espionage.
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