The Indian Air Force (IAF) received its first ‘acceptance’ Rafale combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation in France on Thursday, as per ANI. Deputy Air Force Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhary also flew in the aircraft for around one hour, the news agency said. The aircraft has been delivered as per schedule. Earlier, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was supposed to receive them.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to receive Rafale 

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

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Rafale to be inducted into IAF

According to government sources, October 8 was chosen as the 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 the Indian pilots to start training on the advanced Rafale aircraft. Sources indicate that the pilots might fly the aircraft once the Defence Minister reached the location near Bordeaux. The planes would arrive in India only after being refitted with India-specific enhancements and the training of pilots and personnel.  

READ | Rajnath Singh to receive 1st Indian Rafale aircraft in France on Oct 8

Rafale deal

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