New Update
Rafale in India: The second batch of three
Earlier on July 29, the first batch of five Rafale fighter jets of the 36 ordered by the Indian Air Force reached the Ambala airbase after a stopover at the Al Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi. The formal induction ceremony had took place on September 10.
As per the officials. the three jets part of IAF's first Rafale squadron will not have a stopover on their way. The jets will be refueled by French and Indian tankers during the journey.
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The fighter jets are expected to reach Ambala after a one-day break at Jamnagar airbase.
Last month, a team of Indian Air Force, led by a two-star officer, arrived France to review the progress of the Rafale project ahead of the arrival of the second batch of fighters. The arrival of these fighters jets will boost the IAF’s capability to deploy the advanced jets amid tensions with China and Pakistan.
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The Indian Air Force is expecting to receive three to four Rafale jets in every two months. All the 36 planes are likely to join the air force’s combat fleet by the end of this year.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria last month said the integration of Rafale fighter jets brought in a platform armed with advanced weapons, sensors and technologies.
These fighter jets were ordered from France in September 2016 under a deal of worth Rs 59,000 crore. India-specific enhancements on Rafale include a helmet-mounted sight, radar warning receivers, flight data recorders with storage for 10 hours of data, infrared search and track systems, jammers, cold engine start capability to operate from high-altitude bases and towed decoys to ward off incoming missiles, a report said.
-PTC News-
Rafale fighter jets will arrive at the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat on Wednesday. Indian Air Force is prepared to form its first Rafale squadron at Ambala airbase, the officials familiar with the developments said.