Second lot of Rafale fighter jets purchased from France reaches India -

Jamnagar: The second batch of the Rafale fighter jets, purchased from France, has reached India. The fighter jets took a non-stop flight from France and landed at the Jamnagar air force base in Gujarat. Before this, France handed over the first batch of five fighter jet to India in June and within ten days the fighter jets joined the air force fleet. This had delivered a strategic message to China. The Air Force Chief had said the induction of Rafale jets in the Airforce fleet was at a very appropriate time.

The batch of three Rafale jets which took off from France, flew non-stop to land at the air force base in Jamnagar. The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced the information regarding this. With this, the fighter jets have demonstrated their capability. French mid-air fuelling aircraft were also flying along with these fighter jets. A unit of fighter pilots had been sent to France to bring these fighter jets and these fighter pilots were imparted special training at the Saint-Dizier airbase in France.

By April 2021, there will be 21 Rafale fighter jets in the IAF fleet. France will hand over three more fighter jets to India in January. Three jets will come in March and seven will be received in April. 18 out of these 21 fighter jets will become a part of the Golden Arrow Squadron, based in Ambala. In comparison, the rest will be based at the Hasimara airbase in West Bengal. India has signed an agreement for 36 Rafale jets with France and all the 36 fighter jets will remain in the IAF fleet before the end of next year.