There will be no delay in supply of Rafale jets to India: France

re will be delay in delivery of 36 Rafale jets to India as timeline finalised for supply of fighter jets will be strictly respected, French Ambassor Emmanuel Lenain has said. India h signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore.

" contractual delivery schedule of Rafale jets has been perfectly respected till w, and, in fact, a new aircraft was handed over to Indian Air Force in end-April in France, in keeping with contract," Lenain told PTI.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received first Rafale jet at an airbase in France on October 8. "We are helping Indian Air Force in arranging for ferry flight of ir first four Rafales from France to India as soon as possible. So re's reason today to speculate that schedule will t be maintained," envoy said.

France is reeling under swelling cases of coronavirus and has emerged as one of worst-hit in Europe. Over 1,45,000 people were infected by virus while death toll stood at 28,330. re were apprehensions that delivery of Rafale jets could be delayed due to pandemic.

However, Lenain asserted that original timeline for delivery of jets will be hered to. aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA's Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be mainstay of weapons pack of Rafale jets.

Meteor is next generation of BVR air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. Besides missile systems, Rafale jets will come with various India-specific modifications, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, rar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems.

IAF has alrey completed preparations, including reying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome fighter aircraft. first squron of aircraft will be stationed at Ambala air force station, considered one of most strategically located bases of IAF. Indo-Pak border is around 220 km from re.

second squron of Rafale will be stationed at Hasimara base in West Bengal. IAF spent around Rs 400 crore to develop required infrastructure like shelters, hangars and maintenance facilities at two bases.

Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. trainer jets will be twin-seater with almost all features of fighter jets. Congress raised questions about deal, including on rates of aircraft, and alleged corruption, but government has rejected charges. 

(Photo Credit: PTI)