SHRI RAM SHAW
NEW DELHI
Amid rising tensions with China, the first five of a batch of 36 French Rafale fighter jets, built by Dassault Aviation and purchased by New Delhi in a ‘controversial multibillion-dollar deal’ reached Ambala airbase in northern India, some 200km (125 miles) from the Pakistani and Chinese borders today for rapid deployment. Nearly 23 years after Sukhoi aircraft were imported, the current fleet, ‘‘giving the country’s air power a strategic edge over its adversaries in the neighbourhood’’ comprises three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft.
Delivery of the Rafale jets – 36 of which were ordered by India in September 2016 – officially began in October, but the planes stayed in France for the training of the Indian pilots and mechanics. Final delivery has to be completed by 2022. The planes were awaited with impatience by New Delhi, which is eager to update its ageing fighter jet force as tensions flare with both China and Pakistan.
The pilots took off from the Dassault Aviation Mérignac facility near Bordeaux in western France on Monday and landed at the Ambala Air Force base this afternoon after covering a distance of 7,000 km. The first leg was to the Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates where the aircraft landed on Monday afternoon.
The Indian Air Force team flying the aircrafts were taking training in France for almost three years. The aircraft will integrate into the country’s No 17 Squadron, dubbed “Golden Arrows” though a formal induction ceremony would be held later. The IAF has said that efforts will now focus on operationalisation of the aircraft at the earliest. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, ‘‘These multirole aircrafts will revolutionise the capabilities of the IAF.’’
Dassault Aviation aircraft have been an integral part of Indian defence forces for over six decades. The first Dassault Aviation aircraft, Toofani was supplied to India in 1953, followed by the Mystere IV, the naval Alize, the Jaguar (manufactured under license by HAL), and the Mirage 2000. These aircraft have contributed to Indian sovereignty all along and the Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft continues to be the IAF’s ‘cutting edge’ till date. 36 Rafales fighter aircraft has been acquired on September 23rd 2016 to equip the Indian Air Force.
