IAF to induct 5 Rafale jets at Ambala air base; Know More

NewsBharati    21-Jul-2020 09:33:23 AM
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New Delhi, July 21: The Indian Air Force will induct its first batch of five Rafale fighter jets imported from France at the Ambala airbase on July 29, subject to weather, the Defence Ministry said in a release. The final induction ceremony will take place in the second half of August.

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"The first batch of five Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale is likely to arrive in India by end July 2020. The aircraft will be inducted at Air Force Station Ambala on 29 July subject to weather. No media coverage is planned on arrival. The final induction ceremony will take place in the second half of August 20 wherein full media coverage would be planned," the statement read.
 
The Ministry said that the IAF aircrew and ground crew have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft, including its highly advanced weapons systems and are fully operational now. Post arrival, efforts will focus on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest.
 
Several discussions will be taking place in the Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) will be conducted from 22-24 Jul 20, at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) New Delhi regarding the induction of Rafale fighter jets with the theme of the conference is "IAF in the Next Decade". Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to grace the occasion by inaugurating the AFCC on July 22. The Defence Secretary and Secretary Defence Production are also expected to be present during the inauguration.
"The AFCC will be chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria. During the three day conference, the discussions would take stock of the current operational scenario & deployments. The plan of action for operational capability enhancement of the IAF in the next decade will also be discussed," the statement read.
In September 2016, India had signed a deal with France for the acquisition of 36 Rafale multi-role fighter jets in a fly-away condition along with 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE) under a €7.87 billion (Rs. 60,000 crore) Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).
 
It was reported earlier that the arrival of jets was postponed given the coronavirus crisis. "In mid-March, there were 8-9 weeks of training left before the first major group could move to India for starting operations here. Some logistic support equipment and test equipment were also to be flown to Ambala beginning April, which is postponed as of now due to the lockdown and restrictions on flights imposed by India."
 
Last year in October, on a visit to France for the second India-France ministerial-level annual defence dialogue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took formal delivery of the first Rafale jet built for the IAF at the Dassault Aviation’s facility in Merignac. At that time, the Defence Ministry had stated that during the dialogue the “French side has agreed to consider the Indian request for 8-10 Meteor missiles to be given to India by 2020 with the first four aircraft”.
 
Amid the tensions along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the arrival of Rafale fighter jets can prove fatal to have edge over these nations.