PM Modi welcomes five Rafale jets to India with a sanskrit couplet after touchdown

Welcoming Rafale jets landed at Ambala airbase, PM Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, shared a Sanskrit couplet lauding new defence entrants. Highlighting ir ded value to Indian airforce's defence prowess, PM Modi said we welcome  jets which will protect Indian skies. Similarly, Defense minister Amit Shah, Home Minister Amit Shah too welcomed five jets which landed at Haryana's Ambala airbase after a 2-day journey from France.

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PM Modi shares a sanskrit couplet to welcome Rafale jets

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Rafales land at Ambala air

In a mega boost to Indian Airforce's firepower, five Rafale jets have landed at Indian Airforce's Ambala airbase on Wednesday. jets took off from Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux on Monday and arrived here after covering a distance of 7,000 km with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in United Arab Emirates. jets entered Indian air and were escorted by 2 SU30 MKIs, a few hours ago.

Five Rafale jets to land in Ambala today, security tightened around air base

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.