In late July, the Indian Air Force received the first set of Dassault Rafale fighter jet from France at Dassault Aviation in France. This Rafale fighter jet in India is slated to increase the strength of the Indian Air Force manifold. Deputy Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhary flew the fighter jet for an hour during the event. The Indian Air Force is going to train 24 pilots of the Air Force in three separate batches in May 2021 to fly the jet.
The deal was signed by Prime Minister Modi in 2016 with the French Government and Dassault Aviation for 36 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Due to a deadlock between the government and the opposition, the congress had accused PM Modi of corruption. But the deal finally was approved.
Dassault Rafale Fighter Jets Landed in Ambala Air Base
Five aircrafts flown by pilots of the Indian Air Force took off from France on 27th July to reach Al Dafra Airbase of United Arab Emirates in seven hours. After refuelling by French tankers at the airbase, the fighter jets will land directly in Ambala Air Base after covering a total of 7000 kilometres. Since China and Pakistan lack the combat capability of these fighter jets, it will give India an edge in defence. Rafale fighter jet India is carrying 17 Golden Arrows commandant pilots trained by the Dassault Aviation Company. Mirage 2000 had come to a halt after it came to India but Rafale will land directly at the Ambala airbase.
Rafale Fighter Jet India: Customised Features Consistent With India’s Demands
The fighter jets were supposed to be delivered to India in May 2020 but due to the corona virus pandemic it was delayed for two months. India has made some changes into the internal structure of the jets in accordance to its requirements. Features like Israeli helmet mount, radar warning receiver, low band jammer, ten hour flight data recording and the tracking system were customised for India.
The Haile Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) missiles are being deployed to be used in the jets. With a range of 60-70 kms, this air-to-ground missile is capable of neutralising even the strongest of targets on the ground. Originally built for the French Air Force, this missile will help target enemy bunkers on the ground successfully. Other jets with Meteor and Scalp missiles have already arrived in India.
Present Air Chief RKS Bhadoria had led the Indian government into this deal who was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff during that time. In his honour, the telephone numbers of the jets will be of RB series.
Received by Air Force Chief, Section 144 In Four Villages Of Ambala
The five fighter jets were received by the Air Force Chief Bhadoria in Ambala on 29th July, 2020. Section 144 was imposed in 4 villages near Ambala Air Base for security purposes. Photography and gathering on rooftops had been banned. In a recent news, the Air Force has written to the Haryana Govt complaining about the issue of birds which are providing hindrance to the proper functioning of the jets.
