NE NEWS SERVICE
AMBALA, SEPT 10
Five Rafale fighter jets were formally inducted into the Indian Air Force on Thursday at a glittering ceremony in the Ambala airbase, in a major boost to India’s airpower capability at a time the country is engaged in a tense border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
#RafaleInduction
IAF has formally inducted the #Rafale aircraft in 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' today, at Air Force Station, Ambala. The ceremony also marks #Rafale’s full operational entry into IAF.Glimpses of the Rafale in action with IAF. pic.twitter.com/WfohU5vMET
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 10, 2020
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, his French counterpart Florence Parly, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
Attended the Rafale Induction Ceremony along with French Defence Minister Ms @florence_parly in Ambala today. Her presence in the ceremony is a reflection strong India-France defence partnership. The induction of Rafale fighter jets in IAF is a big & momentous occasion for India. pic.twitter.com/ENwpXxXHAK
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) September 10, 2020
A traditional ‘sarva dharma puja’, a ceremonial ”water cannon salute” to the Rafale jets and an aerial display featuring various breathtaking manoeuvres by the aircraft marked their induction into the 17 Squadron of the IAF.
In a tweet, the IAF welcomed the “new bird” into its arsenal.
The multi-role Rafale jets, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, are known for air-superiority and precision strikes.
Big day for the Indian Air Force! Attending the Rafale Induction Ceremony in Ambala. Watch! https://t.co/pwhn77h1LH
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) September 10, 2020
A fleet of indigenously-developed combat jet Tejas and Sarang helicopter aerobatic team of the IAF too displayed a range of aerial manoeuvres demonstrating their agility at the ceremony which was attended by India’s top military brass and executives of several French defence firms involved in the Rafale programme.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh and the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Ms @florence_parly unveiling Rafale at Ambala Air Force Station. pic.twitter.com/I5926bLqXG
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 10, 2020
The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on July 29, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh along with his French counterpart Ms @florence_parly at a bilateral meeting after the #RafaleInduction ceremony at Air Force Station Ambala, today. pic.twitter.com/3H5szCKSE3
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) September 10, 2020
Ten Rafale jets have been delivered to India so far and five of them stayed back in France for imparting training to IAF pilots. The delivery of all 36 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.
The second batch of four to five Rafale jets is likely to arrive in India by November.
The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.
The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise missile will be the mainstay of the weapons package of the Rafale jets.
India and Japan sign agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between Forces of both countries https://t.co/rmn9CV7DkN pic.twitter.com/IU7fsViVSj
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) September 10, 2020
Meteor is the next generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to revolutionise air-to-air combat. The weapon has been developed by MBDA to combat common threats facing the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden.
Out of 36 Rafale jets, 30 will be fighter jets and six will be trainers. The trainer jets will be twin-seater and they will have almost all the features of the fighter jets.
Glimpses of Air Display by @IAF_MCC at Air Force Station, Ambala during the formal #RafaleInduction ceremony, today pic.twitter.com/CPvyXBcMXw
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) September 10, 2020
While the first squadron of the Rafale jets will be stationed at Ambala airbase, the second one will be based at the Hasimara base in West Bengal.
The 17 Squadron of the IAF was resurrected on September 10 last year.
The squadron was originally raised at Air Force Station, Ambala on Oct 1 1951. The 17 Squadron has many firsts to its credit; in 1955 it was equipped with the first jet fighter, the legendary De Havilland Vampire.
