Rafale induction ceremony LIVE: IAF’s new Rafales perform flypast at Ambala airbase

Rafale induction ceremony LIVE updates: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is holding a ceremony at the Ambala air force station, to formally induct the first batch of Rafale fighter jets.

Rafale induction ceremony LIVE updates: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is hosting a ceremony at the Ambala airbase to formally induct first five Rafale fighter jets. Induction of these twin-engine modern fighters is being seen as a major boost to the IAF’s capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly and India’s top military brass are attending the ceremony. This is the first induction of a new type of foreign-origin fighter jets by IAF since a batch of the Sukhois were delivered in the late 1990s. Rafale is a multi-role combat aircraft. This means it can be deployed in various scenarios such as carrying out combat missions to achieve air superiority, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. Catch the LIVE updates here:

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Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | One of the Rafales has performed a low flypast followed by a minimum radius turn to display the aircraft’s manoeuvrability.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | One of IAF’s new Rafales, two Jaguars and two Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs have performed a flypast in the ‘arrow’ formation.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly and other officials will be witnessing a flypast of the new Rafale jet at the Ambala airbase, as part of the formal induction process.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | A ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’ is being held to mark the Rafale’s induction into the IAF.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly have arrived at the Ambala airbase. The ceremony is expected to begin shortly.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | In February, former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had said that the outcome would have been different had Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman been flying a Rafale instead of a MiG 21 Bison during the India-Pakistan stand-off in the aftermath of the Balakot strike in 2019. Dhanoa was responding to a question about controversies slowing down defence acquisitions.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | Rafale's capabilities: The IAF has also reportedly sought emergency procurement of the HAMMER air-to-ground missile which has a range of about 60 kilometres.
The air force could eventually integrate more missiles with the Rafales, which is often categorised as a 4.5 generation aircraft for its radar-evading stealth profile.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | Rafale's capabilities: Rafale is a multi-role combat aircraft. This means it can be deployed in various scenarios such as carrying out combat missions to achieve air superiority, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence.
They will not have to fly beyond the Indian airspace to hit targets that are even 600 kilometres inside enemy territory. To put that into perspective, a Rafale can hit targets deep inside Pakistani territory while still flying over Ambala.
Rafale induction ceremony LIVE | Rafale's capabilities: Some of the missiles that Rafales will be equipped with had arrived at the Ambala airbase even before these jets arrived. These include the Meteor air-to-air missile.
The jets will also be equipped with the 1,300-kilogram SCALP missiles. SCALPs have a range of around 300 kilometres.