The first consignment of six Rafale warplanes from France is expected to arrive in India by 27 July. Sources in the government said that the commanding officer of 17 Golden Squadrons will bring the first Rafale with the French pilot. During the journey from France to India, the aircraft will be refueled in the air as soon as it reaches the Middle East. These fuels will fill the tanker aircraft of the French Air Force.
After this, during the flight from the Middle East to India, Indian IL-78 aircraft will refuel in Rafale again. Sources said that although Rafael can fly to India directly after flying for 10 hours continuously, the pilots may have to face great stress.
The first squadrons of these aircraft will be deployed at Ambala Air Force Station, considered to be the most important strategic base of the Indian Air Force. At the same time, the second strategic base will be in Hashimara, West Bengal. Despite the Corona epidemic, the Air Force is working hard to prepare the ground structure so that the aircraft can be operated from here.
The Air Force has spent around Rs 400 crore for the maintenance and deployment of Rafale at both stations. Out of a total of 36 Rafale, 30 are combat aircraft, while six are trainer aircraft. The trainer aircraft are two-seater. They will have the same characteristics as fighter jets.
Seven pilots have taken training to fly Rafale
Sources said the first batch of seven pilots from India at the French airbase to fly Rafale have completed their training. At the same time, the second batch is going to France for training. They will be sent as soon as the situation improves from Corona. The first war equipment from France has arrived in India by cargo aircraft. More devices are to come in the future. It is worth mentioning that in September 2016, India had signed an agreement of about 58 thousand crores with France to buy 36 Rafale.
Ability to hit air to air and air to ground
Sources said that armed Rafael has dual air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capability. Equipped with such accessories, Rafael is neither with China nor with Pakistan. European missile manufacturer MBDA's Meteor is an attack missile from the enemy's eyes.
At the same time, combined with the Scalp cruise missile, its firepower increases further. Meteor is the next generation BVR air-to-air missile. This weapon has been developed in view of threats against Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden.
Preparations to start talks between India and China afresh
The corps commanders of India and China will hold talks again on Tuesday to reduce tensions persisting in eastern Ladakh. This conversation can continue on Wednesday. On the other hand, preparations are also underway to start diplomatic-diplomatic level talks between India and China. In two to three days, this will also be initiated.
Earlier, the two Corps commanders met on 22 June in Moldo, China, on the other side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along Chushul. After nearly 11 hours of marathon talks, the two sides agreed to withdraw from Galvan Valley, Pangong Lake, and Hot Spring to the May 2 position. However, instead of improving the situation in the last week, the situation became tenser.
China adopted a strategy to confuse India
At the diplomatic level too, China blamed India for violent incidents in the Galvan Valley and tensions in eastern Ladakh. India also bluntly said that if the LAC continues to try to change the status quo from China, it will have serious consequences.
On the other hand, China, as part of its strategy to confuse India, made a new challenge in front of the Indian Army by making a mobilization at Wai Junction in Depsang in North Ladakh. It is expected that this third interaction between the two corps commanders will yield positive results.