The much awaited first instalment of five Rafale fighter jets out of the total lot of 39 jets adding to Indian’s Air defense strength from the prestigious Dassault company of France would be arriving in India on 29th July after covering a distance of of 7000 kilometres with a single fuel stop at the French Air Base in United Arab Amirates.
According to the Indian Ambassador to France this delievery of five ultra modern hi tech Rafale Fighter jets would not only add to the strength of the Indian Airforce outstandingly but will also put at rest about the suspence about supposed delay in its deliveries.
Feeling extremely delighted the Indian Ambassador to France has thanked the Dassault Aviation as well as the government of France for this early n timely delivery of three two seaters n two three seater Dassault Rafale fighter jets to be flown by the Indian Pilots from France to India on 29th July, 2020.
India took a significant step in strengthening air power n defence preparedness with the first five Rafale fighter aircraft built by Dassault flying out from Merignac airbase in Bordeaux France to India covering a distance of 7000 kilometres with a single stay in UAE n reaching India on 29th July thus marking a new milestone in cementing solid bilateral relationship in Indo France defense cooperation.
According to the India’s ambassador to France Jawed Ahraf who was present at the time of the take off of the first Rafale fighter jet said that the long awaited n much needed two squadrons of Rafale would add great strength to IAF n our defense capabilities. He met the Air India pilots n wished them safe landing in India.
He congratulated them on becoming the first Indian Pilots to fly one of the world’s most advanced n potent fighter aircraft and wished them success in meeting the nation’s expectation in contributing a significant role in India’s defense.
In addition to these two squandrons of Rafale Jet Fighters, the government of France in a gesture of friendship will also send an aircraft with medical equipments n experts on July 26th to lend a hand of support to India’s efforts against dreaded Pandemic Covid 19.
The first Rafale fighter was handed over to India in the month of October 2019 in the presence of the Indian Defence minister Rajnath Singh n Eric Trappier, Chairman of Dassault Aviation and Air Commondore Hilal Ahmed Rather n Air Attache to France apart from other senior officials. Indian n France has a long history of cooperation in fighter aircraft which includes India’s acquisition of French Toofanies in 1953 , then mystere, Jaguars n the Mirages.
There had been lots of controversy within and outside parliament with the Congress party n its leaders including Sonia n Rahul Gandhi accusing the BJP led NDA government n prime minister Narendra Modi etc of various charges n making it the main election plank in the national elections.
This deal of Rafale Jet Fighters with Dassault Aviation is of worth 60 thousand crores for 39 Rafale Fighters in all. In accordance with the contract made between Indian government n the Dassault Aviation the Indian Airforce pilots n supporting personel have been provided full training on aircrafts n weapon systems by Dassault. Further batches of the Indian Airforce personel would be getting the training for another nine months ahead.
