French defence minister likely to visit India next month to attend Rafale induction ceremony

French Defence Minister Florence Parly is likely to visit India next month to attend formal induction ceremony of five Rafale fighter jets into Indian Air Force (IAF) and hold talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on furr boosting strategic ties, people familiar with developments said on Friday.

induction ceremony of Rafale jets will be held on September 10 in Ambala air force station in presence of Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and entire top military brass of country, y said.

Indian and French sides are in touch with each or on proposed visit by Parly,  ded two.  

y said a preliminary discussion on a possible procurement of ar batch of 36 Rafale jets by India from France may figure in talks between two sides during Parly's visit here.

re has been a view among some officials in military establishment that IAF should at least have four squrons of Rafale jets considering its operational aspects.

A squron comprises at least 18 aircraft.

y think it will be "cheapest option" as cost of research and development for all India-specific enhancements have alrey been covered in previous deal, those aware of developments said.

It is learnt that French side is also keen on discussing option of a follow-on order. In a telephonic conversation with Singh on June 2, Parly h conveyed her reiness to visit India to furr explore ways to enhance bilateral defence ties.

first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. jets are yet to be formally inducted into IAF. Ten Rafale jets were delivered to India so far and five of m stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots.

delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by end of 2021. A second batch of four to five Rafale jets are likely to arrive in India by vember.

Rafale jets, kwn for air-superiority and precision strikes, are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia. Rafale jet is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons.

European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be mainstay of weapons pack of Rafale jets.

Meteor is a next generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.

Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. trainer jets will be twin-seater and y will have almost all features of fighter jets. While first squron of Rafale jets will be stationed at Ambala air base, second one will be based at Hasimara base in West Bengal.

new fleet will be part of 17 Squron of IAF which was resurrected on Sep 10 last year. squron was originally raised at Air Force Station, Ambala on Oct 1 1951.

17 Squron has many firsts to its credit; in 1955 it was equipped with first jet fighter, legendary De Havilland Vampire. 

(Im Credits:PTI)