Rafales enter India in formation on-camera; establish radio contact with INS Kolkata

As India awaits arrival of first five Rafale jets from France, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed that all of m have entered Indian air and are being escorted by 2 SU30 MKIs. Rafale jets will land at Ambala Air Base, and if wear conditions are unfavourable, y will inste go to Jodhpur airbase which has also been prepped for ir arrival. IAF chief RKS Bhauria will be on hand to receive m. Defence Minister has shared stunning visuals of Rafale complement in formation.

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Earlier,  Indian Rafale contingent established contact with Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata, deployed in Western Arabian Sea. INS Kolkata Delta 63 was heard sending following mess: 

Arrow leer, Welcome to Indian Ocean.

Rafale leer: Many thanks. Most reassuring to have an Indian warship guarding seas

INS Kolkata: May you touch sky with glory. Happy landings

Rafale leer: Wish you fair winds. Happy hunting. Over&out

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Rafale to arrive at Ambala

first batch of five Rafale fighter aircraft took off from France for India on Monday, 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. aircraft flew out from Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux and are covering a distance of nearly 7,000 km with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in United Arab Emirates before ir planned arrival at Ambala Air Base.

sophisticated aircraft are expected to significantly boost Indian Air Force's combat capabilities at a time India is locked in a tense border row with China in eastern Lakh.  Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh h received first Rafale during his visit to  Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, France on October 8, 2019. However, arrival of aircraft after being refitted with India-specific enhancements was postponed by two months in wake of COVID-19 crisis. Some of India-specific modifications in aircraft include rar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems. 

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