Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to receive Rafale jets for IAF

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhaa are set to receive first batch of Rafale fighter jet manufactured by French firm Dassault Aviation on September 20. Both Defence Minister and IAF chief will be in France in September for delivery of Rafale jets. India h signed a deal with French government and Dassault Aviation in September 2016 for 36 Rafale fighter jets for over Euro 7.8 billion, which will start arriving India from May next year

Speaking in matter, a defence official stated that a large Indian contingent led by Rajnath Singh will be sent to France to accept Rafale plane in third week of September. A ceremony will be held for occasion, which is likely to be attended by French government officials. Rajnath Singh and IAF Chief will be receiving  first aircraft from French authorities near plane manufacturing plant in Bordeaux.

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As per news ncy ANI, Indian planes have been equipped with a lot of India specific enhancements, which have been fitted at a cost of around one billion euros. Though small batches of Indian pilots have alrey trained on French Air Force planes, Indian Air Force would train 24 pilots in three different batches till next year May for flying Indian Rafales.

As soon as acquiring, IAF will deploy one each squron of Rafale combat aircraft at its airbases in Haryana's Ambala and Bengal's Hashimara. Ambala base has been housing Jaguar aircraft squrons mainly looking after Pakistan front but due to rapid deployment capabilities, planes can be utilised on both fronts in case of requirement. 

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(With ncy inputs)