Kiren Rijiju remembers late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as Rafale jets touchdown

As fleet of Rafale jets landed at Indian Air Force's Ambala airbase on Wednesday, historic moment was celebrated by one and all, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing a Sanskrit couplet lauding new defence entrants. On proud occasion, Union minister Kiren Rijiju took a moment to remember former Defence Minister Mahar Parrikar who was architect of Rafale deal.

Kiren Rijiju took to social media on Wednesday evening to pay a solemn tribute to late BJP stalwart. India h inked deal for 36 Rafale jets with France in September 2016 with Mahar Parrikar as  Defence Minister. 

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Earlier in day, Goa Chief Miniter Pramod Sawant congratulated PM Modi for his strong and decisive leership while retweeting September 2016 post from Mahar Parrikar Memorial account which shows n Defence Minister signing official document alongside his French counterpart Francois Hollande. 

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India's Rafale airpower

first fleet of five jets comprises three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft arrived in India nearly four years after two countries inked an inter-governmental agreement to supply 36 of multi-role jets to Indian Air Force (IAF) under a Rs 59,000-crore deal.

All 36 jets are expected to arrive in India by September 2022, for which IAF has been reportedly undertaking preparations, including reying required infrastructure and training of pilots.

On October 8, 2019, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh h received first Rafale during his visit to Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac and performed a Shastra puja marking aircraft with auspicious symbol - 'Aum' with vermillion. 

WATCH: Five Rafale jets touch down at Indian Air Force's Ambala air base

What sets Rafale jet apart?

Rafale is fitted with 14 hardpoints and 13 India-specific enhancements. Its total external lo capacity is more than 9 tonnes. Hence, it can lift equivalent of its own empty weight in paylos. Its loitering capacity is 1.5 times that of Sukhoi. range is 780 to 1055 km as against 400-550 km of a Sukhoi jet.

Similarly, Rafale jet can eng in 5 sorties per 24 hours against 3 by Sukhoi. Moreover, Rafale is powered by two SNECMA M88 engines, which helps it attain a range of more than 3,700 km. Having a top speed of 2223 km, it is equipped with laser-guided bombs weighing 900 kg. 2500 rounds per minute can be fired from its internal cann.  

Rafale considered as a 4.5 generation aircraft will w le IAF's fighter jets.Also, Rafale maintenance time per flight hour is 2.25 hours against 6-8 hrs for or fighters.

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