Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will receive first Indian Rafale combat aircraft during his visit to France on October 8. Rafale has been manufactured by French manufacturing company, Dassault Aviation. Earlier, Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal BS Dhaa was expected to receive aircraft from France on September 19-20. w, Singh will travel to France along with Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and or senior government officials. 

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Arrival in India only in May 2020 

According to government sources, October 8 was chosen as induction date because both Dussehra and Air Force Day are celebrated on that day. Simultaneously, an Air Force team would visit France and sign documents, which would enable Indian pilots to start training on vanced Rafale aircraft. Sources indicate that pilots might fly aircraft once  Defence Minister reached location near Bordeaux. planes would arrive in India only after being refitted with India-specific enhancements and training of pilots and personnel.  

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 Rafale Deal  

government of India signed a deal with French government and Dassault Aviation to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets to bolster India’s urgent requirement on eastern and western borders in September 2016. It costs more than 7.8 billion euros. opposition parties led by Congress-led a frontal attack on this deal. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi h demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe various allegations like escalation of procurement price and undue benefits to a private Indian company. Currently, Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a bunch of pleas seeking a review of its December 14, 2018 judgement, which h dismissed petitions against  Rafale deal. 

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IAF’s 17 Squron resurrected 

first squron of  Rafale aircraft would be deployed at Ambala Air Force Station, while second one would be stationed at  Hasimara base in West Bengal. On Tuesday, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhaa resurrected ‘Golden Arrows’ 17 Squron, which was disbanded in 2016. This will be first unit to fly  Rafale fighter jets. It was initially formed in 1951. 

(Inputs from ANI)

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