First batch of 5 Rafale jets takes off from France to join IAF fleet
First Published: 27th July, 2020 21:07 IST
The first batch of five Rafale jets took off from France today and will be arriving in India on Wednesday, when the much-awaited fighter jets will officially be inducted and
The first batch of five Rafale jets took off from France today and will be arriving in India on Wednesday, when the much-awaited fighter jets will officially be inducted and join the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet at the Ambala air base in Haryana.
The Rafale aircraft will cover a distance of nearly 7,000 kms from France to India with air-to-air refueling and a single stop en route in UAE. The Indian Air Force pilots and supporting personnel have been provided full training on aircraft and weapon systems by Dassault.
The Indian embassy in France said the event marked a new milestone in strong and growing India-France defence cooperation. The embassy also released a short video titled “Beauty and the Beast”, showcasing Rafale jets ready for takeoff.
Indian ambassador Jawed Ashraf was there to see off the Rafale aircraft. He also met the Indian pilots and congratulated them on becoming the first ones to fly the worlds most advanced and potent fighter aircraft and wished them success.
India ordered 36 Rafale jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016 as an emergency purchase to arrest the worrying slide in the IAF’s combat capabilities.
Acting on a special request by the IAF, France has accelerated the deliveries of Rafale fighters to India. Five jets are coming instead of four that were originally planned to be delivered in the first batch.
France handed over to India its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Florence Parly, in Merignac on October 8 last year.
As per reports, the delivery of all 36 aircraft will be completed by the end of 2021.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Centre Asks Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram to Monitor Foreigners’ Activities Closely
25th December 2024Live Construction Worker of Guwahati-North Ghy Bridge Injured In Leopard Attack
25th December 2024Live Sikkim Garbage Trucks Seized in Siliguri, Mayor Calls for Bengal Govt Action
25th December 2024Live Railway Contractor Kidnapped and Killed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong
25th December 2024WE RECOMMEND
Online job postings rose by 20% in 2024, driven by digital adoption and SMB sector growth: report
Notably, job postings for women surged by 60 per cent year-on-year, reflecting a growing focus on gender diversity.
25th December 2024Delhi: 20 Trains Delayed Due to Dense Fog And Poor Visibility on Christmas Morning
The AQI in the city was recorded at 333, falling under the 'very poor' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board at 8 am.
25th December 20245 soldiers killed after army vehicle met with accident in J-K’s Poonch
The rescue operations are underway and injured personnel are receiving treatment
24th December 20245 States Get New Governors in Recent Reshuffle, Ajay Kumar Bhalla Appointed as Manipur Governor
General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.), PVSM, AVSM, YSM, has been appointed as the new Governor of Mizoram.
24th December 2024A New Chapter For Silent Warriors: Indian Army Gifts Retired Military Dogs To Schools For Special Children, Benevolent Citizens
On the occasion of the 246th Remount Veterinary Corps Day, the Indian Army gifted twelve retired military dogs to Asha Schools and benevolent Samaritans.
24th December 2024