Five Rafales Jets of the thirty-six ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived at the Ambala airbase on 29th July 2020. This ended the IAF’s agonizing wait for new fighter jets to enhance its combat potential. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and other senior officials welcomed the Rafales and the pilots on their arrival. A formal induction ceremony happened on 10th September 2020.
The Induction Ceremony of the Rafael Jets
The Indian Air Force will formally induct the Rafale fighter jets at the Ambala airbase in the presence of defense minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Florence Parly on Thursday, 10th September 2020. The Rafale jets are part of the IAF’s No. 17 Squadron. The squadron is also called the Golden Arrows.
Chief of defense staff General Bipin Rawat, defense secretary Ajay Kumar and Defence Research and Development Organisation chief G Satheesh Reddy were among the dignitaries who were present in the ceremony. Dassault Aviation chairman Eric Trappier was also present. Dassault Aviation is the manufacturer of Rafael Jets.
The program included the ceremonial unveiling of the Rafale aircraft. There was also a traditional ‘Sarva Dharma Puja’. There was an air display by Rafale and Tejas aircraft as well as by the Sarang helicopter aerobatic team. After the ceremonial events, the Indian and French delegations held a bilateral meeting.
The next batch of Rafale jets will be reaching Ambala airbase from France in October 2020. After this, the third batch will land in December 2020. All the deliveries will be completed by the end of the year 2021. India has ordered thirty-six Rafale fighter jets from France in a government-to-government deal worth 59,000 crores rupees in September 2016.
The Edge The Fighter Jets Will Give India
India’s new Rafale fighter jets will significantly enhance the defense capabilities of the air force. It will prove to be a game-changer with their advanced weaponry, high-tech sensors, superior radar for detection, and tracking of targets. they also have the ability to carry an impressive payload.
The Ambala and Hashimara airbases will each house 18 Rafael jets for the western and Western fronts. These jets will add both qualitative and quantitative edge to IAF over the Chinese Air Force along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control.
The weaponry of the Rafael jets includes Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, Mica multi-mission air-to-air missiles, and also Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles. These are weapons that will allow fighter pilots to attack both air and ground targets from standoff ranges. This will fill a significant capability gap.
