New Delhi: The fifth batch of Rafale fighter jets reached India from a military airbase in France. The jets were flagged off by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria from Merignac Air Base amid his ongoing five-day official visit to France.
The fighter jets flew a distance of almost 8,000 km non-stop with air-to-air refuelling support by France and UAE’s Air Force.
“After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 April. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair (France Air Force) and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) tweeted.
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After a direct ferry from #MerignacAirBase, France, the 5th batch of Rafales arrived in India on 21 Apr. The fighters flew a distance of almost 8,000Kms with air-to-air refuelling support by @Armee_de_lair and UAE AF. IAF thanks both the Air Forces for their co-operation. pic.twitter.com/jp81vODCp2
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 21, 2021
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The first batch of five Rafale jets had arrived in India on July 29 last year.
The arrival of the new batch of the aircraft will pave the way for the IAF to raise a second squadron of the Rafale jets. The new squadron will be based in Hasimara air base in West Bengal. The first Rafale squadron is based in Ambala air force station. A squadron comprises around 18 aircraft.
India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around ₹ 58,000 crore. So far, 14 Rafale jets are operating in the Indian Air Force.
