Rafale Jets Induction LIVE Updates: French Minister, Rajnath Singh in Ambala Today as Fighter Aircraft Set to be Inducted into IAF

Military aviation experts say Rafale’s addition would significantly enhance the IAF's overall operational capability to counter the Chinese threat, and it would also provide effective deterrence…

Experts Say Rafale’s Addition to Significantly Enhance Air Force’s Operational Capability | Military aviation experts say Rafale’s addition to India’s fighter fleet would significantly enhance the Air Force’s overall operational capability to counter the Chinese threat, and it would also provide effective deterrence against Pakistani aggression. Rafale’s induction will change the technological imbalance India had in air vis-à-vis Pakistan’s US-supplied F16 aircrafts with superior radar and missile system as well as China-supplied Chengdu JF-17, which is at the centre of Pakistani Air Force’s fleet modernisation plans.

Seen here, Florence Parly, Minister of Armed Forces of France, arriving at Delhi's Palam airport. She is the chief guest for Rafale induction ceremony at Air Force Station, Ambala. The induction of one of the most potent combat jets globally will give India’s air power an edge in the midst of a tense border row with China.

#WATCH Florence Parly, Minister of Armed Forces of France arrives at Delhi's Palam airport. She is the chief guest for Rafale induction ceremony at Air Force Station, Ambala pic.twitter.com/Z2V086HouC

— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020

Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets. While the first squadron of the Rafale jets will be stationed at Ambala air base, the second one will be based at Hasimara base in West Bengal. 

Seen here, Rafale fighter aircraft at the Indian Air Force station in Ambala, today morning. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally induct the five Rafale fighter aircraft into the Indian Air Force.

Rafale fighter aircraft at the Indian Air Force station in Ambala, today morning.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally induct the five Rafale fighter aircraft into the Indian Air Force, today. pic.twitter.com/Pgz82SeCHv

— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2020

Capable of Carrying a Range of Potent Weapons |The Rafale jets are 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 the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets. Meteor is a next generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. 

Delivery of all 36 Aircrafts to be Completed by End of 2021 |The delivery of all 36 aircrafts is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. A second batch of four to five Rafale jets are likely to arrive in India by November. Sources said a preliminary discussion on a possible procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India from France may figure in the talks between Singh and Parly.

French Defence Minister Reaches Delhi | French Defence Minister Florence Parly has arrived at Delhi’s Palam Airport. Parlay is here to attend the ceremony of the induction of the Rafale combat jets into IAF. She will receive a Guard of Honour at South Block and she is also expected to pay a visit to the National War Memorial before heading to Ambala.

Singh and Parly to Hold talks in Ambala after Ceremony | After the ceremony, Parly and Singh will hold talks in Ambala on ways to further deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation after the ceremony, they said. Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. A second batch of four to five Rafale jets are likely to arrive in India by November. Sources said a preliminary discussion on a possible procurement of another batch of 36 Rafale jets by India from France may figure in the talks between Singh and Parly.

First Batch of 5 Jets Arrived in India on July 29  | The first batch of the five jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. The French delegation at the ceremony will include French envoy Emmanuel Lenain, Air Gen Eric Autellet, Vice Chief of French Air Force, Chairman and Chief Executive of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier and CEO of missile maker MBDA Eric Beranger.

The Rafale jets, produced by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for air-superiority and precision strikes. IAF Spokesperson Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said a traditional water cannon salute will be given to the fleet before its ceremonial induction into the 17 squadron of the force.

‘Very Important Milestone’: IAF |"The programme will include ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft, a traditional 'Sarva Dharma Puja', air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as by 'Sarang aerobatic team'," an IAF spokesperson said, describing the ceremony as a "very important milestone" in the history of the force.

Induction Today at 10am in Ambala | At 10am tomorrow, Rafale aircraft will be formally inducted into the IAF at the Air Force Station in Ambala," the defence minister said in a tweet. "The aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the 'Golden Arrows'. The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in more than two decades."

At 10.00 AM tomorrow, #Rafale aircraft will be formally inducted into @IAF_MCC at the Air Force Station in Ambala. The aircraft will be part of 17 Squadron, the “Golden Arrows”. The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in more than two decades.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 9, 2020

Rafale Jets to Be Formally Inducted into IAF Today |The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets will be formally inducted into the Indian Air Force today at the Ambala air base at a time India is engaged in an escalating border row with China in eastern Ladakh. A galaxy of dignitaries, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, will attend the ceremony.