Following an order from 2016, the Indian Air Force received the first of 36 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters in 2019. Deliveries of a total of eight two-seaters (Rafale DH) and 28 single-seaters (Rafale EH) were due to be completed by January 2022. The Rafale DH, the two-seat variant illustrated here, is likely to serve as a conversion trainer, but it also has an important strike role – even more so because it can be armed with the MBDA SCALPEG subsonic cruise missile (shown on the outboard underwing pylon), capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. For self-defence purposes, the type can be armed with Meteor, MicaIR and Mica EM air-to-air missiles: it is expected that in the future, Rafales and Su-30s will also receive the indigenous Astra air-to-air missile. (Artwork by Goran Sudar)