Nearly two decades after Sukhoi aircraft were imported, India received a fleet of five French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets last week. The acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets is a much-needed capacity booster for the Indian Air Force (IAF), given the aircraft’s proven combat capabilities in air defence, electronic warfare and ground support. Their induction into the IAF will also support India’s management of the ongoing border stand-off with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh where India has already deployed multiple weapons platforms hardware including Sukhoi-30 and Mirage fighter jets.