First Batch of Five Rafale Jets Arrive in India; Dassault Aviation’s Aircraft To be Part of ‘Golden Arrows’

The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India on Wednesday at Ambala Airbase at around 3:15 pm. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Bhadauria. The Rafale fleet comprising three single-seater jets and two twin-seater jets. Rafale aircraft is referred to as “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault Aviation. The fighter jets will be inducted into the “Golden Arrows” also known as No. 17 Squadron.

Section 144 was imposed in the areas adjoining the Ambala Airbase to avoid any untoward incident. The first five Rafale fighter aircraft arrived today were flown by pilots of the 17 Golden Arrows. The fleet was led by Commanding Officer of the squadron Group Captain Harkirat Singh along with other pilots, Wing Commanders MK Singh, R Kataria, Sidhu and Arun. Here Features And Specifications of Dassault Aviation’s Rafale Aircraft.

Video of Rafale Jets landing at Ambala:

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं पुण्यं,

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं व्रतम्,

राष्ट्ररक्षासमं यज्ञो,

दृष्टो नैव च नैव च।।

नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्…
स्वागतम्! #RafaleInIndia pic.twitter.com/lSrNoJYqZO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2020

Till now, India received 10 Rafale aircraft. Out of which, five stayed back in France for training purpose. The formal induction ceremony will take place in August. Rafales took off from Dassault Aviation Facility, Merignac, France, on Monday morning. The ferry of the aircraft is planned in two stages. The Air to Air Refuelling planned during the first leg of the ferry was undertaken by these pilots with dedicated tanker support from the French Air Force.

Water Salute Goven to Rafale Jets:

#WATCH Water salute given to the five Rafale fighter aircraft after their landing at Indian Air Force airbase in Ambala, Haryana. #RafaleinIndia pic.twitter.com/OyUTBv6qG2

— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2020

In 2016, India signed a deal with the France government to procure 36 Rafale jets in a “ready to fly” condition. The entire deal was worth Rs 59,000 crore. According to the deal, 75 percent Rafale fleet will always remain operational. India will received all the 36 Rafale jets by the end of 2020.