China Alarmed by Indian Rafale Jets: Conducts Mock Air Combat with J-16s

Beijing: China has reportedly displayed considerable concern over India’s Rafale fighter jets, simulating aerial combat against them in recent war games. CCTV released a video showing Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft engaging in mock battles with the French-made Rafale jets. The exercises, aimed at developing new aerial tactics, were conducted in Shuchang, Henan Province, with at least 20 units of the Chinese ground forces participating.

The war game included computer-assisted simulations of various air combat scenarios. Officials used a board to analyze potential threats, demonstrating how the Rafales could operate as part of a networked force alongside other assets.

Why Rafale Worries China
Defense experts suggest that the J-16s were likely chosen to simplify war gaming exercises and teach tactics across multiple units. The J-16, considered a fourth-generation fighter alongside the J-15B, is easier to simulate than China’s more advanced fifth-generation J-20 and J-35 jets.

China’s concern is not limited to Rafales. The U.S. F-35 stealth fighter, used by NATO countries, Japan, and Australia, is also seen as a major challenge, with its capabilities difficult to replicate in war games. Similarly, the U.S. Air Force has stationed F-15EX fourth-generation fighters near Okinawa, close to the Taiwan Strait, further adding to China’s strategic worries.

India’s Rafale Fleet and Future Plans
Currently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates 36 Rafale jets. Reports indicate that India may purchase 114 additional Rafales from France, potentially through a government-to-government agreement. Rafales have already proved their capability during Operation Sindur, striking nine terrorist targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with precision.

The exercises and media coverage highlight how India’s advanced fighter jets are being taken seriously by China, influencing regional military calculations.