In a significant development concerning the Rafale fighter jet, a French lawmaker has proposed a major reevaluation of its SPECTRA electronic warfare system. This call for reform arises in the aftermath of reported deficiencies during recent military confrontations between India and Pakistan. Marc Chavent, a member of the French Parliament, articulated his concerns in a written inquiry addressed to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Chavent’s remarks reference assessments from “American analysts and intelligence data from NATO partners,” suggesting that the Thales-developed SPECTRA system was inadequate in recognizing or disrupting a PL-15E air-to-air missile. This missile was reportedly launched by a Pakistani J-10C aircraft utilizing the KLJ-10A AESA radar, which poses a modern threat given its low probability of intercept characteristics.
The clashes, which occurred in early May, reportedly led to the downing of at least one Indian Air Force Rafale jet, as indicated by a senior French intelligence official cited by CNN. While Indian defense officials have confirmed the loss of multiple air platforms during the intense 87-hour conflict, they have refrained from disclosing whether Rafales were among the downed aircraft. India’s Chief of Defence Staff, Anil Chauhan, has dismissed Islamabad’s claim of six Indian jets being shot down, which included three Rafales.
Should the loss of a Rafale be substantiated, it would represent the aircraft’s first confirmed combat loss. In light of these concerns, Chavent has sought clarification on whether the forthcoming Rafale F5 variant will incorporate enhancements to the SPECTRA suite, specifically designed to tackle advanced electronically scanned array radars and active-guidance missiles. The F5 variant is anticipated to enter full-scale development between 2026 and 2027, bringing with it advancements such as crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities and next-generation weaponry. The Rafale is expected to remain operationally relevant until 2060, equipped with additional conformal fuel tanks and radar cross-section reduction kits.
Chavent has also inquired whether France is contemplating the creation of a specialized electronic warfare variant of the Rafale, similar to the US Navy’s EA-18G Growler, which would focus on suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses. This proposal comes amid concerns regarding the evolving threat landscape posed by advanced Chinese fifth-generation aircraft like the J-20 and possibly the FC-31, which could swiftly enhance capabilities in stealth, sensor integration, electronic warfare, and multi-domain operations within the Indo-Pacific region.
The SPECTRA electronic warfare system, co-developed by Thales and MBDA, equips the Rafale with comprehensive defense capabilities, including long-range detection and precise identification of various threats such as infrared, electromagnetic, and laser systems. Noteworthy elements of this sophisticated suite encompass radar warning receivers, laser and missile warning systems, phased array jammers, and decoy dispensers, all integrated with a specialized management unit designed for data fusion and actionable decision-making in combat scenarios.
