Rajnath Singh to hold talks with French President before Rafale sortie

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday and receive first of 36 Rafale aircraft in French port city of Bordeaux. He will also perform 'Shastra Puja' on occasion of Dussehra and take a sortie in fighter jet. 

To visit Merignac for ‘Shastra Puja’ 

After his talks with Macron at Elysee Palace in French capital, Singh will be flown to Merignac, a suburb of south-western French town of Bordeaux, where he will participate in official handover ceremony for first Rafale combat jet acquired by Indian Air Force (IAF).  ceremony coincides with foundation day of Indian Air Force as well as day when Dussehra will be celebrated. Arrangements have been me at airbase for a tritional 'Shastra Puja', or weapons' worship which forms part of Dussehra celebrations. After performing puja, Singh will take a sortie in a two-seater trainer version of aircraft. 

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Defence Ministry Spokesperson informs about Singh’s schedule 

"Raksha Mantri will participate in  Rafale fighter aircraft handing over ceremony at Merignac along with French minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly," a ministry of defence spokesperson said. "He will also perform Shastra Puja on auspicious occasion of Vijayashami and fly a sortie in  Rafale fighter aircraft,”  spokesperson ded Members of top military brass of France as well as senior officials of Dassault Aviation, makers of Rafale, will also be present at ceremony. 

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Rafale formal handover ceremony in a week 

India h ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016. While formal handover ceremony takes place this week, first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to ir home base in India by May 2020. 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.  handover ceremony will be followed by annual Indo-French Defence Dialogue between Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly back in Paris on Tuesday evening.  

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Features of  Rafale jet 

 Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. manufacturers describe it as a fully versatile aircraft that can carry out all combat aviation missions to achieve air superiority and air defence, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence.  Rafale entered service with French Navy in 2004.  Rafale jets intended for India are expected to come with certain bespoke modifications for IAF and have been awaited as a crucial enhancement to India's Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft fleet. 

first Rafale jet will come with tail number RB 001, with RB deting initials of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Bhauria who played a key role in striking deal for jets in his previous role as IAF deputy chief. On Wednesday, minister is scheduled to dress CEOs representing leing French defence industry enterprises. As part of a wider 'Make in India' mess, Singh will invite m to participate in  DefExpo to be held in Luckw from February 5 to 8 next year.  

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